These concerned individuals want to help, but are unsure about what to do. Eating disorders are like most problems in that they are much more amenable to treatment if detected early in the developmental process. If the disorder is left untreated, it gains control over the individual. Over time, the affected individual can become entrenched in her disorder, making recovery much more difficult. In some cases of anorexia nervosa, the disorder can become intractable.
Some patients die.
More individuals die from anorexia nervosa than any other psychiatric disorder. Unfortunately, most individuals with eating disorders are not likely to present themselves for treatment. The anorexic individual usually does not believe she has a problem. The bulimic person is generally too embarrassed by her problem to let others know she is suffering. Most bulimic individuals do not present for treatment until they have had the problem for 3-4 years.