"Our staff is interdisciplinary," Gould says. "There are psychiatrists, psychologists, nutritionists, and social workers."

"We provide comprehensive evaluation of anyone with an eating disorder or anyone with concerns about eating," she says. "The person does not have to be a bulimic or anorexic."

One woman, who says she needed "a far more intense dose of help" than ECHO could provide, praised UHS.

"I've been amazed at how good they have been with dealing with this," she says. "I was never a huge fan of UHS before and they have been fantastic."

Whalen agreed, saying "the people at UHS were really helpful. All the nurses were really nice. And they knew what I needed."

One recovered bulimic, however, complained of the absence of actual eating disorder specialists at UHS, and declared the Bureau "the least helpful place."

She also called for Harvard to institute programs to increase awareness of eating disorders. The woman says first-years are the most susceptible.

"I was sharing a bathroom with my proctor and was throwing up about five times a day," she says. "I know she could hear me, but obviously could not have given a damn."

"I think Harvard has a problem admitting that anybody here has problems," she added.

But if there is one message which all recovered bulimics and anorexics seem to want to convey, it is the need to end the reign of silence and denial.

"No matter how many food plans a doctor gives you," another woman says, "it won't help until you decide you want help."

Another woman echoed the sentiment, saying "I really hope that more people can help themselves. I think people should know that it's not an acceptable thing to be going on."