Neither of these incidents caused the illnesses, but the girls' inability to cope contributed to them. When anorexia sufferers look in a mirror they don't see what the rest of world knows as fact. We see thin - they see fat. This is called a 'distorted body perception'. This subjectivity extends beyond their physical appearance.
Sufferers are notoriously self-critical and demanding.
Bad grades, poor performance in dance class, even arguments with friends or family are grounds for punishment . Eating disorders can be described as a battle between the sufferer and the negativity her illness makes her feel. This is where distorted perception comes from. Basically the normal and occasional feelings of self-doubt we all experience mushroom into a dominant and punishing personality component for sufferers. Due to their high personal expectations sufferers see loss of control as a failure.