One of the main themes of this novel is illnesses such as anorexia, bulimia, hallucinations, and self harm are all apart of the common illness theme of the book wintergirls. Cassie and Lia both suffered from severe mental illnesses that eventually took Cassie's life and nearly Lia's life also. This book really gives a clear truthful picture of what these disorders are really like. Lia is anorexic and cuts herself and has severe mental issues yet she always says, "Im not sick, Im strong" (Laurie Halse Anderson 28), but in reality she is so deathly sick. The theme is using Lia and Cassie's fictional disorders and the issues they face because of them to teach readers about the danger eating disorders like these.
