Anorexia vs. Bulimia: Differences Explained

A feature of an eating disorder is its ability to distort an individual’s relationship with food and body. The detrimental nature of such a disorder is such that it negatively affects the physical, mental, as well as social health of an individual. While various kinds of eating disorders exist, the most common are anorexia and bulimia. This article looks at the two conditions to differentiate them.

Signs and Symptoms

There are various symptoms that medical experts will look for when diagnosing a patient with anorexia. Among these symptoms include; an intense fear to gain weight, restriction of energy intake, consistent actions that make it difficult for one to gain weight, and a flawed ability of an individual to view their body accurately. Furthermore, people with anorexia often display one or more of the following signs and symptoms; poor body image, skipping meals, low self-esteem, intense focus on dieting and calorie intake, and undesirable and inconsistent relations, among other signs.  It is important to know that anorexia’s warning signs may be difficult to observe, but low BMI and loss of weight are among the most crucial signs.

The signs and symptoms of bulimia and anorexia can at times be overlapping because the focus is always on body weight. That said, bulimia includes bingeing and purging. The former is marked by eating so much food in a certain period and a lack of control during the bingeing period. Purging, on the other hand, is finding ways to avoid weight gain after consuming food. Purging is characterized by behaviors such as fasting, forced vomiting, the abuse of laxatives, and extreme exercises. The period necessary for one to be diagnosed with bulimia is approximately three months of bingeing and purging, with at least a week of these behaviors being exhibited within the three months.

Relationship to Food

In the case of anorexia, an individual has full control over their consumption habit. For instance, when it comes to what they are consuming, they are meticulous and methodical, and their behavior is often planned. In contrast, individuals with bulimia are characterized by an intense craving for food, which also includes a lack of control over their consumption habits. The bingeing behavior is then followed by purging, which comes about due to shame and guilt.

Causes

While the actual cause of anorexia remains unknown, various factors may contribute to this disorder. With that in mind, anorexia risk factors may include obsessive tendencies, emanating from a community that values thinness, and having relatives with anorexia. Similarly, the actual cause of bulimia is unknown. However, various factors are believed to contribute to the development of this condition. The risk factors associated with bulimia include depression, low self-esteem, social anxiety, childhood abuse, individual concerns about weight, childhood obesity, and having relatives with bulimia, among other factors.

Wrap Up

Although the signs of anorexia and bulimia are somewhat similar, it’s imperative to know that these conditions differ. This article has offered a guide on how to differentiate the two. If you suspect that you could be suffering from either of these conditions, visit a medical professional and have them diagnose you effectively.