12:08 PM CDT on Thursday, June 24, 2004

By Janice Williamson / 11 News

There was a time when Shannon Cutts, of Houston, thought she'd played her last note and sung her last song. "I lost the top end range. I lost the lower range. I had three notes to sing and I couldn't play. I lost my scholarship," said Cutts. She was anorexic at the age of 11 and at 18, she was bulimic.

Cutts knew that when the music stopped, it was time to get help.

It's a really subtle disease, and by the time you realize you have it, it's got you.

The Olsen twins have been in the limelight practically since birth, but it couldn't protect them from the most common of diseases.

Mary Kate, one of the famous sisters, just entered treatment for an eating disorder.

She's not alone. In this country 10 million females are struggling with anorexia or bulimia.

Dr. Carmen Mikhail, of Texas Children's Hospital, believes it may be linked to her life on center stage.

Developing one's identity is very important. Sometimes, if that's thwarted, it can lead to problems with eating disorders," said Dr. Mikhail.

At 33, Cutts is just now feeling like she's conquered her anorexia and bulimia. She has some advice for Mary-Kate Olsen.

"If she is courageous, she will have a shorter road, and that will be my prayer for her," Cutts said.

Shannon Cutts' road to recovery led her to perform again in hopes her story will help others.