Just a picky eater.  .  .  Or something more? Do you have an intense fear of getting fat? Do you diet by starving, using laxatives, vomiting? Are you a compulsive overeater? If any of these behaviors sounds familiar, you may have an eating disorder--an illness that affects eight million American women, and one fifth of those who are obese.  This eye-opening guide provides crucial information on prevention, where to get help, and what treatments can best cure eating disorders, including anorexia, which is now, tragically, the leading cause of death among America's young women.  Discover: The specific stages in life when an eating disorder is likely to develop...and why going off to college is one of them Which personality characteristics are found among girls at highest risk How to recognize the signs of an eating disorder in progress How dieting can make you mentally and physically vulnerable to developing an eating disorder Why eating more can help you to stop bingeing Warning signs Who is most at risk Coping strategies for families and friends The latest information on prevention, new treatments...and more