The Void Inside

Right now, more than 2 million girls and women in the United States suffer from purging disorder, an eating disorder characterized by vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications to control weight or shape, and nearly half a million boys and men join them. But purging disorder’s status as an “other” eating disorder has left it invisible to all but those who suffer from it. This book provides the go-to resource for accurate, scientifically based information for those who suffer with the illness, their friends and loved ones, health professionals, educators, and anyone interested in learning about this hidden psychiatric illness. This book distinguishes purging disorder from the better-known eating disorders, explains what factors contribute to its unique development and maintenance and what treatments work, and describes outcomes associated with this illness. Topics include the emergence of purging disorder as a “new” eating disorder at the turn of the millennium; cross-cultural presentations of the illness; theories and research findings regarding social, psychological, and biological mechanisms driving this illness; medical complications associated with purging; approaches to assessment and treatment; and information on recovery from 10 weeks to 10 years following diagnosis with purging disorder. Case studies and quotes from those impacted by purging disorder present how the illness affects the lives of real people to underscore the severity, chronicity, and need for greater awareness of this invisible illness.