What is the difference between Anorexia and Bulimia

[JanetRose]

Thanks.....

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Anorexia is starving yourself while bulimia is making yourself vomit.

 

[Planogirl]

If I understand it right, anorexics simply don't eat anything. They diet and diet and stlll think that they're fat. Bulemics do eat but they purge right away.

I'm interested in knowing if this is all of it myself.

 

[Aidensmom]

The above posts pretty much define it. A lot of times anorexia and bulimia go hand and hand. A person will starve themselves regularly, and then will suddenly binge (eating THOUSANDS of calories) and then will go vomit it all up.

Besides the obvious danger of not getting enough calories for the body to function, these diseases can also cause other problems such as heart, stomach, and throat problems.

 

[mudnuri]

those are almost accurate descriptions- but heres the words right outta my psych book- we're actually working on these right now...

Anorexia Nervosa : An eating disorder characterized by excessive weight loss, an irrational fear of gaining weight, and distorded body self-perception

Bulimia Nervosa: An eating disorder characterized by binges of extreme overeating followed by self-idnuced vomitting, misuse of laxatives, or other inappropriate methods to purge the excessive food and prevent weight gain.

Hope that helps

brandy

 

[simba928]

Yep, everyone is pretty much correct. People with anorexia do not eat. People with bullimia are on a continuous cycle of bingeing and purging.

 

[VSL]

As another said, it often goes hand in hand (ie, anorexics will often purge anything they eat).

Also, anorexic sufferers are severely underweight, whereas pure bulimics will often be at a 'normal' weight.

 

[Planogirl]

I guess that if bulemics tend to be of normal weight, that they don't purge after every meal? Or do some calories managed to be absorbed before they purge?

What awful disorders.

 

[VSL]

It's because many bulimics binge heavily, I think, and not all the food will be able to be purged (and it depends what method is being used).

 

[Sleepy]

As another said, it often goes hand in hand (ie, anorexics will often purge anything they eat).

I was anorexic as a teenager. I never purged. Honestly, I don't even think I ate enough to purge. Dry heaves would have been really painful.

I always assumed if you purged, it meant you were bulimic. Back when I was anorexic, purging was not part of the description of anorexia. This is why they have different names for different disorders.

 

[VSL]

Yes, they do have the general distinctions (and purging is still not under the AN description), but they do often (I never said always) cross. It's usually a case of someone having the two (I'm talking from much experience), but I believe the diagnosis is made with regards to which is the more prominant disorder in the individual.

I had to do research into both AN and BN for my 'A' Levels, and my BF spent a full year doing an art project on AN (he's now studying for a degree in Psychology).

 

[Cruise04]

Here are a couple of websites that you can check out if you'd like to give you more information:

National Eating Disorders Association:
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders)
http://www.anad.org/site/anadweb/
(this organization was created by a doctor that my boss works with and she is on the board and is a consultant)
This section of the site tells you what disorders are and the warning signs
http://www.anad.org/site/anadweb/content.php?type=1&id=6982

I work for a psychologist who specializes in eating disorders.

A lot of times there is a need for psychological counseling as well as treatment centers. Hope these sites clear up any questions or concerns you may have about someone.