SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Hanna's eating disorder was triggered by the images

When Hanna Bergwall was a teenager, she was severely ill with anorexia. Pictures of very thin people on the internet contributed to her prolonged illness. "I also want to look like that". It became an inspiration to continue with what I was doing, she says.

» Updated: September 19 2024

» Published: August 04 2024

Hanna's eating disorder was triggered by the images
Photo: Mikaela Landeström/TT

Images of successful girls highlighting their flat stomach, spine, or ribs are repeatedly seen on social media. This phenomenon is called "pro-ana", which refers to the images showing anorectic ideals.

Hanna Berglund was ill with anorexia when she was a teenager. Then, just like now, the internet was flooded with such images. Back then, she didn't understand that they were problematic.

I didn't think about it that way. I wanted to be thin. I saw the images as something positive.

Hanna Bergwall says today that she is completely sure that the images had an impact on her illness.

They made it harder to get well, I was constantly triggered by them.

It took ten years before she got well.

It's not wrong to be thin

A year ago, when a debate about pro-ana images erupted, Hanna Bergwall was one of those who raised her voice. Since then, many have contacted her.

I've had mothers who have written to me that their nine-year-old daughters want to start vomiting because Bianca Ingrosso does it, she says, referring to the well-known influencer and entrepreneur who has spoken openly about her eating disorders.

Hanna Bergwall is clear that it's not wrong to be thin, she herself is. Rather, the problem is how you choose to highlight, for example, bone knots in unnatural and strange angles. Especially if you're an influencer who has talked about having an eating disorder.

It's not about the person's body, but about the message you're sending out. You have to be able to criticize that.

When pro-ana content is what sells, generates money, and increases followers, it's easy for young viewers to link appearance to success, which can be triggering for many, says Berglund.

A trust industry

Today, Hanna Berglund is healthy from her eating disorder and no longer gets triggered when the images come up in her feed. However, she has chosen not to follow certain Swedish influencers.

I'm glad I'm not there, but of course, I have to brake so I don't look at it too much, because then you can get triggered.

Hanna Bergwall thinks that tech companies should take greater responsibility, but that the responsibility also lies with influencers as a group and with the individual creator and their brand.

They have freedom of speech, they can post what they want. However, I think they have a moral obligation to take responsibility. It's a trust industry, after all.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Sweden Halts Vehicle Inspections for Emergency Alarms Amid Network Changes

Sweden Halts Vehicle Inspections for Emergency Alarms Amid Network Changes

Kristersson Unaware of Deleted Email in Landerholm Case

Kristersson Unaware of Deleted Email in Landerholm Case

Mystery Deepens Over Trollhättan Neck Ring: Is It Really Gold?

Mystery Deepens Over Trollhättan Neck Ring: Is It Really Gold?

Swedish Agriculture Board Rethinks Controversial Animal Space Rules

Swedish Agriculture Board Rethinks Controversial Animal Space Rules

E6 Landslide Probe in Stenungsund Delayed Until Summer

E6 Landslide Probe in Stenungsund Delayed Until Summer

40 Suspects Tied to Malmö Prostitution Ring at Thai Massage Parlor

40 Suspects Tied to Malmö Prostitution Ring at Thai Massage Parlor

Swedish Climate Goals at Risk: Experts Criticize Kristersson's Leadership

Swedish Climate Goals at Risk: Experts Criticize Kristersson's Leadership

Sweden's Government Rejects Experts' Call for Higher Fuel Taxes

Sweden's Government Rejects Experts' Call for Higher Fuel Taxes

Bribery Investigation at Karolinska Hospital Ends Without Charges

Bribery Investigation at Karolinska Hospital Ends Without Charges

Sweden Urged to Act Fast on Climate Goals as Time Runs Short

Sweden Urged to Act Fast on Climate Goals as Time Runs Short

Sweden Moves to Ban Fur Farming, Focuses on Mink Breeding

Sweden Moves to Ban Fur Farming, Focuses on Mink Breeding

Landerholm Trial Delayed to August Amid Evidence Deletion Claims

Landerholm Trial Delayed to August Amid Evidence Deletion Claims

Sweden Unveils Ambitious Cybersecurity Strategy for 2025-2029

Sweden Unveils Ambitious Cybersecurity Strategy for 2025-2029

Investigation Reveals Welding Error Sparked Fatal Fire at Liseberg's Oceana

Investigation Reveals Welding Error Sparked Fatal Fire at Liseberg's Oceana

Swedish Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Copenhagen Grenade Attack

Swedish Man Sentenced to 9 Years for Copenhagen Grenade Attack

Reflective Vests Recalled in Sweden Over Safety Concerns

Reflective Vests Recalled in Sweden Over Safety Concerns

Lundin Oil Knew of Witness Threats, Continued Operations Anyway

Lundin Oil Knew of Witness Threats, Continued Operations Anyway

Social Democrats Urge Swift Action as Sweden Lags Behind in Defense Strategy

Social Democrats Urge Swift Action as Sweden Lags Behind in Defense Strategy

Customs Alert: Hidden Dangers in Ginseng Supplements from Sweden

Customs Alert: Hidden Dangers in Ginseng Supplements from Sweden

Sweden Allocates 300 Million Kronor to Boost School Safety Measures

Sweden Allocates 300 Million Kronor to Boost School Safety Measures

Man Arrested After Shots Fired at Stockholm Apartment Door

Man Arrested After Shots Fired at Stockholm Apartment Door

Sweden Shines in Happiness Rankings, But Finland Leads the Way

Sweden Shines in Happiness Rankings, But Finland Leads the Way

Swedish Women Lead in Charity as Men's Donations Decline

Swedish Women Lead in Charity as Men's Donations Decline

Gunfire Hits Apartment Door in Stockholm Suburb; Police Investigate

Gunfire Hits Apartment Door in Stockholm Suburb; Police Investigate

Sweden Unveils First Baltic Marine National Park in Nämdöskärgården

Sweden Unveils First Baltic Marine National Park in Nämdöskärgården

Train Service Resumes North of Stockholm After Brief Halt

Train Service Resumes North of Stockholm After Brief Halt

Astronauts Return After 9 Months in Space: Health Challenges Await

Astronauts Return After 9 Months in Space: Health Challenges Await

Police Safely Disarm Suspicious Object in Helsingborg, Sweden

Police Safely Disarm Suspicious Object in Helsingborg, Sweden

Prosecutor: Evidence Mounts Against Ex-Security Adviser Landerholm

Prosecutor: Evidence Mounts Against Ex-Security Adviser Landerholm

Swedish Ombudsman Criticizes Prison for Denying Haircuts to Detainees

Swedish Ombudsman Criticizes Prison for Denying Haircuts to Detainees

Karolinska Hospital to Treat Nightclub Fire Victims from North Macedonia

Karolinska Hospital to Treat Nightclub Fire Victims from North Macedonia

Captain Sentenced for Fatal Gothenburg Boat Crash

Captain Sentenced for Fatal Gothenburg Boat Crash

Lawyer with Crime Links Dismissed from Swedish Tax Agency

Lawyer with Crime Links Dismissed from Swedish Tax Agency

Sweden's A-Tractor Age Limit Likely to Stay at 15 After EU Talks

Sweden's A-Tractor Age Limit Likely to Stay at 15 After EU Talks

Record number of people detained for fraud against the elderly

Record number of people detained for fraud against the elderly

Five Charged for Shooting at Israeli Company

Five Charged for Shooting at Israeli Company

Person found dead in Varberg – murder investigation underway

Person found dead in Varberg – murder investigation underway

Municipal Council Chairman Suspected of Attempted Rape

Municipal Council Chairman Suspected of Attempted Rape

Police: The Security Zone Had a Short-Term Effect

Police: The Security Zone Had a Short-Term Effect

Sweden Launches Inquiry into Honor Oppression in Schools

Sweden Launches Inquiry into Honor Oppression in Schools