As many as one in 20 women in the western world suffer bouts of uncontrolled binge-eating.
Going without food for long periods, making yourself vomit and taking laxatives you don't need are also common and are symptoms of bulimia nervosa.
Such illness costs lives if not successfully treated.
Now in its second edition, Peter Cooper's sympathetic and highly acclaimed guide gives a clear explanation of the disorder and the serious health issues that can result from it.
He describes the treatment.