(December 20, 2002) — Three friends walked into counselor Linda Doll’s office. “We need to talk to you about our friend,” they said. “She’s sick.” Their anonymous friend Ana wasn’t ill from a physical disorder, but from a mental disorder called anorexia nervosa. Ana’s three friends told Doll that she was constantly avoiding food and she was wearing baggy clothing to cover her thinning body. They noticed in P.E. class that Ana’s legs were getting thinner every day. Doll thanked the three friends for their concern and contacted Ana’s parents. Ana’s parents were unaware of the problem but accepted it. Ana was then hospitalized. For two years now, Ana has been receiving treatment at a local hospital. She was in an in-patient program until she was stable. During her in-patient program, she lived at the hospital and the doctors planned all her activities and monitored her diet and exercise. When her doctors thought her condition had improved they allowed her to go home, but she soon returned to her previous eating habits. Ana was placed back into the in-patient program. The second time was successful. Her condition improved and Ana was able to study again. The school distri8cdt scheduled a teacher to go into the hospital and give Ana the opportunity to earn high school credit. Now, two years later, Ana is in the residential program where she lives in the hospital. The residential program allows more freedom and less treatment. Doll said she was happ0y to say that Ana is doing much better. School psychologist Christine Karg, who has been here since the beginning of the school year, said that she is not aware of any cases of anorexia nervosa or bulimia at Clark this year. School district nurse Lynda Burlison said that cases are not frequent because many are unnoticeable. Even Ana’s parents, who were involved in their daughter’s life, were not aware of the disorder. Burlison said that when cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia are reported, school officials do their best to help. “Although we try to help the family understand and cope with the disease, we can never do anything by force,” she said. Some families, unlike Ana’s, deny the disorder and reject help. Doll said that anorexia and bulimia are hidden disorders and friend support is important. Still, friends often feel guilty for “ratting out” their friend. “But wouldn’t you feel more guilty for killing someone than helping them when they are alive?” she asked. Burlison added that programs like the “Help a Friend” program at Glendale High School are helpful to anonymously report a friend in need of help. She said she hopes that schools, including Clark, will soon offer the program.