Discuss and evaluate the difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
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Anorexia and bulimia are eating disorders characterized by preoccupations with food, weight, body image, and control. Both conditions can be life-threatening, and they impact people of all ages and demographics. Someone with anorexia primarily relies on restricting food and avoiding eating as much as possible. However, those with bulimia engage in binge/purge patterns to control their caloric intake. Show
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Generally, eating disorders are behavioral conditions characterized by a severe and persistent disturbance in eating behaviors, often which are associated with negative thoughts or mental illness. There are several different kinds of eating disorders, two of which are bulimia and anorexia. When comparing bulimia vs anorexia, many people tend to group them into one category because their symptoms are similar. However, understanding their differences is crucial to recognizing their symptoms and getting treatment. Today, we’re answering the common question: “what is the difference between anorexia and bulimia?” so you can better understand the signs and symptoms of each. What’s the Difference Between Anorexia and Bulimia?Let’s jump right into it. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and what they eat. Anorexia is identified by a distorted body image and an extreme, unwarranted fear of being overweight or gaining weight. People with anorexia may try to maintain a below-normal weight by starving themselves or over-exercising. Bulimia nervosa is also an eating disorder, but it’s characterized by bingeing, followed by drastic methods to lose weight or avoid weight gain. People with this condition tend to binge eat, hence the name. They may purge (vomit), over-exercise, or fast to lose weight or maintain an unhealthily low weight. If you compare anorexia and bulimia from the surface, they may seem pretty similar. However, there are some key differences between the two that play huge roles in diagnosing and treating them. The difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is that people with anorexia may adopt extreme diets or restrict their food intake to lose weight, while people with bulimia binge eat and then purge to lose weight and avoid weight gain. Bulimia episodes may involve eating excessive amounts of food in a short period and then purging or vomiting, using laxatives, or administering enemas to get rid of those calories. It’s also important to note that while eating disorders are more common in women, they can occur in anyone. In the United States alone, 9% of the population, or 28.8 million people, will develop an eating disorder in their lifetime. Without treatment, these disorders can become fatal. If you or someone you know has anorexia or bulimia, Banyan Treatment Centers offers eating disorder treatment in Philadelphia that provides the support you need to recover. Differences in SymptomsWhen comparing bulimia nervosa vs anorexia nervosa, you’ll also find that their symptoms are slightly different. The most common symptoms of anorexia are restricting food intake and extreme dieting. The main symptom of bulimia is purging the food or vomiting after binge episodes or excessive eating. While some other symptoms and behaviors of these conditions may be done privately, the symptoms of both anorexia and bulimia are more likely to be apparent to others. Below are the differences between signs and symptoms of anorexia and bulimia and what you should look out for. Anorexia SymptomsThe symptoms of anorexia range include behavioral, emotional, and physical changes that may become more apparent the longer the individual goes without anorexia treatment. These signs may become more obvious to loved ones over time. Some signs of anorexia include:
Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any other mental illness. In fact, anorexia’s mortality rate is 12 times higher than the death rate of all causes of death in females aged 15 to 24 years old.2 While many people with anorexia nervosa die from health complications caused by starvation, others die by suicide. Bulimia Symptoms:Symptoms of bulimia vary from person to person, depending on the frequency and severity of purging. Repetitive vomiting causes stomach acids to constantly come up into the throat and mouth. This can wear down tooth enamel, increase the likelihood of tooth decay, as well as it can create throat problems. People with bulimia nervosa may also utilize laxatives to lose weight. Over time, repeated use can lead to chronic gastrointestinal problems. However, it’s also important to note that not all people with bulimia purge after binge eating, a disorder known as non-purging bulimia. People with this condition may use other means, such as diet pills, stimulants, fasting, skipping meals, and excessive exercise to lose weight. Some common signs of bulimia include:
Differences in DiagnosisAnother main difference between anorexia and bulimia is their criteria for diagnosis. If your doctor suspects that you have an eating disorder, they’ll run several tests and look out for particular symptoms. In addition to running lab tests to rule out any other possible causes for weight loss, they may also ask you to fill out a mental health questionnaire. In diagnosing an eating disorder, your doctor will also utilize the criteria laid out in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association. Below are the individual criteria for diagnosing anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. AnorexiaAccording to the DSM-5, to be diagnosed with anorexia, you must meet the following criteria:BulimiaDSM-5 uses the following criteria to diagnosis bulimia nervosa:Eating Disorder SupportWhile there are similarities between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, they usually present themselves in different ways. Regardless, both conditions are serious and should be treated as soon as possible. Finding anorexia and bulimia nervosa treatment can save your life. If you or someone you know has anorexia, bulimia, or other similar conditions, Banyan Treatment Centers Philadelphia offers eating disorder programs that can help. In addition to eating disorder support, we also offer Philadelphia drug treatment to help those who have become addicted to drugs or alcohol. Addiction often co-occurs with eating disorders as a result of stimulant abuse to lose weight. To learn more about our services, contact our drug rehab in Philly today at 888-280-4763. Related Reading: Treating Stimulant Addiction Eating for Sobriety – What to Eat in Recovery Sources: AlyssaAlyssa who is the National Director of Digital Marketing, joined the Banyan team in 2016, bringing her five-plus years of experience. She has produced a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. Through strategic marketing campaign concepts, Alyssa has established Banyan as an industry leader and a national household name. What is the main difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa?The difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is that people with anorexia may adopt extreme diets or restrict their food intake to lose weight, while people with bulimia binge eat and then purge to lose weight and avoid weight gain.
Is there a difference between bulimia and bulimia nervosa?Bulimia nervosa, also called bulimia, is an eating disorder. Eating disorders are mental health conditions that can be potentially life-threatening. If you have an eating disorder, you may have an obsession with food and weight. This obsession can harm your physical and emotional well-being.
Which of the following is a similarity between anorexics and bulimics?As a generalized look at the similarities, they both: Are emotional disorders centered around using (or not using) food as a means of control and coping. Affect people who feel that their lives are out of control. Suffer from body image issues.
What is anorexia nervosa short answer?Overview. Anorexia (an-o-REK-see-uh) nervosa — often simply called anorexia — is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight.
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