Maybe diet and being overweight is not a psych issue. It causes psych problems though. This thread was started by someone who has gained weight due to their meds. I know of several people who will not take the psych meds they need because they do not want to gain weight. That is a psych issue. The fear of being overweight and/or the reaction of people when someone is overweight causes eating disorders. This illness is treated behaviourly by psych professionals. Overweight people get depressed about their weight - a psych issue. People have become suicidal - also a psych issue. So, this discussion may not be so inappropriate.

If someone started a thread saying their mother was sick and they were depressed I doubt anyone would respond that their mother was healthy and they were not going to aplogize for that. Also, they would not tell the person to just cheer up and things would be alright. These type of replies are not supportive or helpful which is what people look for from others on this forum. Venus's responses to the overweight thread were of the same simplistic nature that minimized the problem and negatetd the feelings presented. Rather than continue to be offended and feel as if my situation was being trivialized I chose to ask her not to respond. Any of us who have been in therapy have been told to set limits. I set limits.

I have new onset COPD from being a heavy smoker for many years in my youth. I need inhalers. I also have a neurological condition that is either MS or polymyositis. I have weakness and stiffness in my legs and walk with a cane. I would need these items regardless of my weight. Yet I know people who assume I am short of breath and walk with a cane because of my weight. I get little or no consideration of my condition when people expect me to do things. This shows the predjudice of our society against fat people. We deal with it everywhere, everyday. Can't this forum be a place where we can come to get away from that treatment?