"Anorexia, bulimia signal a troubled body and soul" cried a headline in USA TODAY, the Nation's No. 1 Newspaper. These serious eating disorders plague people of all ages, but mostly adolescent girls. Untreated, anorexia and bulimia can be life-threatening. Even when the diseases are diagnosed and treated, the road to recovery is difficult and sometimes lasts a lifetime. In the United States, as many as eleven million people suffer from eating disorders. In this book, you'll investigate the complex causes and devastating effects of anorexia and bulimia. Case studies let you follow the progression of these disorders in individuals from their first purging episode, through the pain of hiding the affliction from loved ones, to the eventual realization that they are suffering from a disorder and need help. You'll also find detailed information on treatment options and support organizations. This book helps you better understand the severity of these disorders and gives you the tools necessary to help yourself or loved ones who need your support.