Eating disorders hide behind many faces, of the young and old, male and female. The two most common disorders are Anorexia and Bulimia. A brief look into these two, the signs and symptoms and where to get help.

Anorexia, simply put it the starvation of self. Denying yourself food and drink as well as in extreme cases adding laxatives to the diet, or lack thereof. Common signs are refusing to eat in front of people or cooking large meals and refusing to eat it. All the way to anxiety, brittle skin, shortness of breath and obsessive calorie counting. It is the fear of getting fat that drives this disorder.

Bulimia, also known as binge eating, is impulsively eating normal to large amounts of food and then throwing it up or using laxatives to quickly remove the food from the body to prevent weight gain. Unlike anorexia, bulimic people usually maintain a relatively healthy weight but like them fear weight gain and obesity. Because of the vomiting this disease can cause loss of teeth and a bleeding esophagus. Signs of this are swollen cheeks, broken blood vessels in the eyes (from forced vomiting), teeth looking clear, excessive exercising regardless of weather, injury or health. And the usual depression and anxiety.

When it comes to treating people who suffer from eating disorders they require a program individually tailored to them to achieve the optimum chance at  full recovery. Putting an emphasis on the key points each person needs to continue recovery for years to come by working closely with the therapists.

The first step is admittance of the problem, the second is find the facility that helps you achieve this. Do your homework, not all centers want to treat more than just the symptoms and then make the call.