The eating disorder anorexia nervosa affects many women and some cases remain undiagnosed for years. Early diagnosis and treatment increases recovery rates dramatically and knowing how to recognize signs and symptoms of anorexia assists all concerned to combat the condition effectively. Facts about anorexia are:

• It seems to be more prevalent in Hispanic and Caucasian females compared to Asian and Black females.

• It is more common in females between 15 and 23 years of age (alarming statistics show that a younger age group is emerging).

Eating disorders effect thousands of young women in the United States and other parts of the world. The compulsions involved can be life destroying.

With anorexia, bulemia, and other eating disorders, therapy has been found to be effective. Studies have shown that medications routinely prescribed, Prozac being the most commonly prescribed medication for eating disorders, as well as other SSRIs, have about the same success ratio as placebos in treating eating disorders.

Cognitive therapy has been of help to many, as well as counseling on proper dieting and eating habits. One experience is given of a teenage tennis pro who developed anorexia, and it is said that a disproportionatly large number of female athletes suffer from eating disorders.