Madam, - I refer to the article entitled "Diet of Denial" by Roisin Ingle (March 22nd). While the prevalence of, and rise in eating distress amongst males and females should be highlighted, as a sufferer I found the said article not only misguided but dangerous as well.
Eating distress is about so much more than food and eating, but most of the article consisted of an almost voyeuristic description of how and what the sufferer interviewed ate.
The more often articles like this appear, the more this false concept is reinforced. The inherent danger in this belief is that only the behaviour is tackled when someone presents for therapy/medical treatment and the underlying causes are left untouched - an ideal recipe (if you excuse the pun) for relapse.
Detailing suicide methods are universally felt to be taboo - equally the "how to" of eating distress (which, let's face it, is a slow form of suicide) should be. - Yours, etc.,
BETTE KING, Boyne Valley Court Harold's Cross Dublin 6W