Conclusion

Eating disorders must be taken seriously. A person may fall into the trap of an eating disorder without any intention of doing so. She may start out feeling that controlling her weight and eating is a way of getting her life together. But she ends up trapped in a vicious circle from which she cannot easily escape.

Once established, anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa can seriously affect a person’s life. Sometimes the outcome is a truly chronic illness or even, rarely, death. However, even when this is not the case the disorders put a blight upon important and potentially enjoyable years.

Yet if these disorders are taken seriously by the sufferer and by those who wish to help her, she can escape. A number of effective treatments exist which can offer a good chance of recovery. The experience of being ill and trying to recover can be upsetting and frightening. Getting better is demanding and unfortunately the required courage cannot simply be prescribed, as can a medicine. The sufferer cannot expect that escaping from a vicious circle will be easy. What she should be able to expect is that those around her should have some understanding of her dilemma and that they take her and her problem seriously.

Panic is neither justified nor helpful. It simply leads the sufferer to cling even more tightly to her old ideas and ways of coping. Panic in those around her can push the sufferer further into her corner.

The great majority of people with either one of the eating disorders do recover. Perhaps all sufferers could do so, given appropriate support and treatment. No one need be without hope of recovery. Sooner or later an eating disorder can become a nightmare that is truly past.