From an outsider’s perspective, all eating disorders look the same. However, conditions such as anorexia vs bulimia have distinct differences that make each condition unique. As such, they need specialized treatment in different ways. Furthermore,
eating disorder recovery groups address each type of condition in a specific way.
While anorexia and bulimia are essentially conditions that include distorted views about eating and body appearance, what triggers each condition, and the approach that a person may take in coping with their disorder are often different. Let’s take a closer look at anorexia vs bulimia and what makes them unique.
Anorexia vs Bulimia: How is Each Different?
The main thing that anorexia and bulimia have in common is that they are both eating disorders. In other words, they are a severe psychological illness in which a person engages in disturbing eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. An individual may become preoccupied with their body weight and its relationship with food.
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia is often characterized by abnormally low body weight and an intense fear of gaining more weight. An individual with anorexia values their ability to control their weight or the shape of their body. They often resort to extreme measures to controlling their weight in ways that interfere with almost all other areas of their life.
To control body weight or shape, a person may undergo self-starvation or minimal eating for long periods – usually several weeks or months. They may also control their calorie or fat intake by using laxatives, enemas, diuretics, or diet aids. This can lead to severe emotional and health problems that can result in fatality.
Symptoms of anorexia nervosa include:
- Extreme weight loss
- Preoccupation with food
- Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting
- Excessive exercise or aerobic activity
- Refusal to eat even when starving
- Thin hair that breaks or falls out
Some people who have anorexia may binge or purge. In this way, anorexia is similar to bulimia. When the condition gets to the point where it becomes an addiction, a person may want to seek professional help at a
women’s eating disorder treatment center.
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia is a life-threatening disorder in which a person may secretly binge and then vomit to get rid of the additional fat or calories in the body. The person may eat large amounts of food in a single sitting and then throw up within only a few minutes of ingesting the food.
Bulimia is often combined with other eating disorders to achieve the desired body weight or shape. A person may use laxatives, supplements, enemas, or diuretics after binging. They may also adhere to a strict diet or refuse to eat. Excessive exercise often accompanies bulimia.
Symptoms of bulimia nervosa may include:
- Preoccupation with body weight or shape
- Extreme fear of gaining weight
- Eating abnormally large amounts of food in a single sitting
- Suddenly excusing yourself from a gathering to go vomit
- Using supplements or diuretics in between binges
The severity of the disorder is often determined by how often a person binges and purges. It usually occurs at least once a week over several months. Bulimia often coincides with drug or alcohol addictions. For this reason, a person may want to visit a
dual diagnosis treatment center for help with both conditions.
Get Help for Anorexia or Bulimia Today
Regardless of the differences between anorexia vs bulimia, they both require the same type of treatment. If you struggle with an eating disorder, then get help at a local eating disorder treatment center near you. With the right treatment, you can get on the road to recovery.