The Surprising Differences & Similarities Of Eating Disorders

Within their lifetime, an estimated one in two hundred females will suffer from anorexia nervosa, and three in one hundred females will suffer from bulimia nervosa. Both of these incredibly common eating disorders have many complications and complex causes based on each case, but can be directly linked to societal standards of beauty and thinness often depicted in the media and result in many females, and males, dealing with self-esteem issues. Now is the time to discover the difference between both of these eating disorders, the symptoms and signs to be aware of, and the treatment options available for individuals to ensure they get back on the right track to being healthy and loving themselves once again.

What Is Anorexia?

Anorexia nervosa, most commonly known as just anorexia, is an eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight, as the individual afflicted with this eating disorder has an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted perception of weight as they associate their self-worth with thinness. Individuals dealing with anorexia place a significantly high value on controlling their weight, shape, and overall appearance, and go to extreme measures to maintain their thin appearance, which can greatly interfere with their lives. To continue to lose weight and to prevent themselves from gaining it back, patients suffering from anorexia will usually severely restrict the amount of food they eat throughout the day. They may also control their caloric intake by vomiting, consuming laxatives, diet aids, diuretics, enemas, or excessively exercising. Anorexia is truly not about the consumption of food, but rather is an unhealthy method used by individuals trying to cope with emotional and mental health issues, and gain a sense of control within their life by controlling what they put into their bodies.

Next, discover what bulimia is and the difference between both of these serious, but common, eating disorders.