DESPITE THE SERIOUS dangers to their health, it is difficult for those with eating disorders to recognize that their behavior is harmful and requires treatment. Even when anorexics, bulimics, or binge eaters begin experiencing major medical problems, they may deny that any connection exists between their poor health and their eating habits. They may still find ways to rationalize their abnormal eating habits. If they do not seek help on their own, intervention by someone else is the first step toward treatment.

Intervention

Initially the biggest hurdle in treating an eating disorder is getting the person to face the fact that a problem really exists. Those who can acknowledge their illness and seek help on their own have already taken the first step in the healing process. But the majority of people with eating disorders have trouble facing the problem on their...