Are you ever really cured? In Gaining, ex-anorexic Aimee Liu (in 1970, below, and today) examines the disorder's insidious reach.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY? I noticed a pattern among people I knew who'd had eating disorders. Long after we were normal weights, we tended to be workaholics or self-punishing in exercise.

SO IT'S A PERSONALITY TYPE? Yes. Research shows the tendency to develop eating disorders is largely genetic. And if you don't get effective treatment you go on to other self-destructive behavior or relapse, as one third of anorexics do.

IS RECOVERY POSSIBLE? The key to recovery is knowing you're wired to deal with anxiety in destructive ways. Once you know, you can find better coping mechanisms.

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From March 5, 2007 Issue CORRECTION In our March 5 issue, we incorrectly reported that author Barbara Delinsky had written six novels. She has written more than 20 novels.