Bulimia

Less than 20 years ago, few people had heard of bulimia, but now it often makes front-page news. Described by the Princess of Wales as "a spiral of secret despair", the disorder becomes a way of coping with the intolerable pressures of life, and triggers feelings of fear and guilt, despair and disgust. It affects an increasing number of people, but is surrounded by misconceptions and prejudices. In this guide to bulimia, Dr Haslam sets out to unravel many of the myths behind the condition, and offers answers to such questions as why it occurs, what its symptoms are, whether it is dangerous, why it affects more women than men, how it can be treated, and how the family and friends of a sufferer can help.