One of the world’s leading online retailers has been blasted for selling clothing which campaigners say “pokes fun” at mental illness.
Amazon has been slammed by activists and medical experts for offering a hoodie emblazoned with : “Anorexia: Like Bulimia, except with self control“.
Furious critics called for the immediate removal of the hoodie, which is being sold through amazon.com rather than the UK site.
Dundee-based author and anorexia sufferer Tina McGuff said she is “horrified” an international retailer could take such a stance towards a serious mental health condition.
Tina, author of book Seconds to Snap, said: “I was horrified to see this hoodie for sale as anorexia is a very serious illness with the highest mortality rate of all the mental illnesses.
“It would be unacceptable to poke fun at other life-limiting illness, so why is this any different and why would any company feel there would be a market for items like this?
“It’s hard to imagine anyone giving this the green light. I would love to have a chat with this person.
Tina continued: “Perhaps reminding him or her of the families who have lost their children due to this illness or those parents planning their own suicide as they feel their child will die due to anorexia and do not want to live beyond the child; these words will hurt them deeply and what an insult by Amazon for selling it.
“This is how dark anorexia can be…it’s not fun and I’m sure if people knew just how bad it can be they would not want to be wearing something as hideous as this.
“It’s also not helping end stigma and frankly just insulting.”
Dr Susie Orbach, a psychotherapist and expert on anorexia, said selling the hoodie was “terribly irresponsible”.
Customers have also criticised the garment.
One reviewer wrote: “This is so wrong on so many levels. I almost died from anorexia. Amazon should be ashamed of themselves.”
Amazon say the hoodie has never been on sale within the UK.
They declined to comment further.
