Everything full of nothing: the anorexic body

Abstract

This paper aims to examine some issues related to anorexia and body representation, proposing some reflections about contemporary problems of such phenomenon. The parallelism between mythical imaginary about Artemis and anorexia is used to understand the anorexic world, highlighting the paradox of a body which represents an “everything full of nothing”. The fantasy of a perfect and self-sufficient body is powered by several rejections, which may take the form of a divine sacrifice. The mythological influences, which concern Artemis, will stimulate some reflections about “sacrificial” aspects concerning the relationship between the faithful servants to “Ana”, who is the virtual goddess of pro-anorexia websites.