Beware tagging Anorexia nervosa

Your advisory on what you term a “bewildering mental illness” is both helpful and partial, (editorial, February 12).

Anorexia nervosa is indeed a debilitating, distressing scenario for all concerned — families and &children alike and all are effected and implicated. The option/ choice to hyper-control one’s body-weight typically arises from an inner sense of loss of control, and severe internalised low self-esteem.

Compounded by relentless promotional advertising of an almost impossible ideal, the vulnerable are at risk of being overwhelmed. Body-image obsession becomes inordinately distorted, appearing to offer the only conduit of control available.