This book provides readers with information to better understand eating disorders, written in accessible language for teens and young adults—those most at risk for these potentially deadly mental disorders.

Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, are some of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders. They are also the deadliest: in the United States, an individual dies as the result of an eating disorder every hour.

What You Need to Know about Eating Disorders is a part of Greenwood's Inside Diseases and Disorders series. This series profiles a variety of physical and psychological conditions, distilling and consolidating vast collections of scientific knowledge into concise, readable volumes. A list of "top 10" essential questions begins each book, providing quick-access answers to readers' most pressing concerns. The text follows a standardized, easy-to-navigate structure, with each chapter exploring a particular facet of the topic. In addition to covering basics such as causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, books in this series delve into issues that are less commonly addressed but still critically important, such as effects on loved ones and caregivers. Case illustrations highlight key themes discussed in the book, accompanied by insightful analyses and recommendations.

• The text approaches the subject in a holistic manner, covering often-overlooked areas such as societal perceptions and the impact on family and friends
• An Essential Questions section provides quick answers to the questions that readers are most likely to have and serves as a springboard to explore the content of the book in more detail
• Case Illustrations provide relatable, real-world examples of concepts discussed in the text
• An annotated Directory of Resources points readers toward useful books, organizations, and websites, acting as a gateway to further study and research