Anorexia Nervosa versus Bulimia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are normally referred to simply as Anorexia and Bulimia and are the two most common of all the different eating disorders. Although older men and women are susceptible to either disorder, it occurs more commonly in Caucasian females between the ages of 12 and 25. Anorexia involves a distorted self image and the fear of becoming obese. Anorexics usually become obsessed with food and oftentimes, they will diet, exercise, and fast excessively.
Bulimia is characterized by frequent, alternating episodes of binging and purging. They will frequently eat large quantities of food in a short period of time and purge what they have eaten by abusing diuretics, enemas, and laxatives as well as forcing themselves to vomit. Both the Anorexic and Bulimic individual become with obsessed body image and food while at the same time becoming intensively frightened of becoming obese.
The dangers and differences of the two
Both of these eating disorders eventually become extremely dangerous to one’s health and can eventually turn fatal. Every individual’s body requires a certain amount of body fat which is extremely necessary to the function of the internal organs. So restricting the intake of food can lead to malnutrition as well as radical and unhealthy weight loss. The Bulimic also runs the risk kidney and stomach damage. Tooth decay is common as well due to excessive vomiting which exposes the tooth to abnormal amounts of digestive acids.
The main similarity between these two eating disorders is that the individual becomes obsessed with their appearance and gaining weight. This will oftentimes lead to needing Anorexia/Bulimia treatment in order to help the individual overcome their disorder and return to living a normal life. The primary difference is that Anorexics have a near-normal body weight or are underweight. On the other hand, the Bulimic individual may have a normal weight or be only slightly overweight.
Anorexics do not purge although they may overeat. Surprisingly, Bulimics appear to eat normally even though they will try to keep their binging and purging a secret. The important thing to remember is that if a person does not get professional Anorexia/Bulimia treatment, it can eventually cost them their life. If you fear that you or a loved one has developed either of these eating disorders, you should seek professional help immediately.
Harmony Grove is an eating wellness facility that offers Anorexia/Bulimia treatment programs so that individuals who are suffering with either disorder can return to a normal life without doing any further damage to themselves. Our 8-bed residential facility is very conducive to recovering from these disorders and receiving more personalized 1-on-1 attention and care. Please call us today at the toll-free number listed above for more information regarding our facility and programs.