Understanding the Differences Between Anorexia and Bulimia

Most people have a tough time telling anorexia and bulimia apart from one other. In fact, most think that they are both the same. This just proves how little we know about these eating disorders.

Understanding the differences between anorexia and bulimia is critical to understand whether the patient should be given an anorexia or bulimia nervosa treatment. Keep in mind that these eating disorders are very harmful to the body as well as to the mind and should never be taken lightly.

The Differences

Every person is unique so it can be unhelpful to generalise, however among the differences between bulimia and anorexia are the personality characteristics that accompany them in the person who suffers from the illness. A person with bulimia may be more social, while the person with anorexia is more likely to be withdrawn and quiet. Another difference is in the weight appearance of the sufferer – not to be confused with nutritional health. A person with bulimia is quite likely to display a fairly normal weight, as part of their intention will be to continue to be a weight they feel they and friends or family think is appropriate. A person with anorexia is more likely (not always) to be noticeably underweight, and their perception of what is a ‘normal’ weight for them to be is subject to skewed thinking.

Purging can happen in both illnesses, but in bulimia, it is most likely after overeating whereas in anorexia it may be after any food consumption. Binge-eating sessions are usually done in private, consuming comfort and sweet foods. then the food consumed will be purged to be rid of the calories as well as maintain their current weight.

Another noticeable difference between bulimia and anorexia is the amount of food that is eaten or not eaten. In bulimia, a person will binge on a huge amount of food; in anorexia, a person will eat as little as possible to prohibit weight gain. The amount of food that is eaten will continue to get smaller and smaller until very little, or no food is eaten. If a person with anorexia feels that they have eaten too much, even if it was indeed a small amount, they may want to either purge the food, or take laxatives, or over-exercise to remove the calories. people with anorexia (not all) have body image issues, in which case they believe that they are not thin enough and continue to decrease the amount of food to lose weight.

The Similarities

Regardless of bulimia or anorexia, most people with eating disorders will deny that they have an eating disorder. They will do whatever they feel is necessary to keep weight off and to have a certain appearance. Bingeing, purging or not eating at all provides an avenue that sufferers report gives them a sense of control. The background is often that a person has low self-esteem; feels ashamed; feels depressed and that they have less control over their lives than they need.

The Last Word

Anorexia and bulimia differences very little from a psychological standpoint. There is a great concern for the "why's" involved for the girls who take these blind roads that they strongly believe will help them find a sense of temporary happiness. Bulimia and anorexia are diseases that should be addressed immediately when discovered, and only positive support and the right eating disorder treatment in London should be given to these beautiful and wonderful people.

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Created on Nov 24th 2020 23:26. Viewed 237 times.

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