Bulimia vs anorexia
Anorexia vs. Bulimia
Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa are psychiatric disorders characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors. Both occur primarily in previously healthy young women who become overly concerned with their body weight and shape. Many patients with Bulimia nervosa have past histories of anorexic behavior. On the other hand, many patients with Anorexia nervosa have histories of binge eating and purging behavior. Both of them are more prevalent in cultures where food is plentiful and in which being thin is associated with attractiveness.
In spite of having so many similarities there are certain differences in between the two which make them separate entities.
In anorexia nervosa, there is refusal by the patient to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height. There is intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat even though they are underweight. In post-menarchal females, amenorrhea, i.e., the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.
Anorexia nervosa has onset in mid adolescence whereas Bulimia usually starts in late adolescence or adulthood. Weight at diagnosis is markedly decreased in Anorexia Nervosa while it is usually normal in Bulimia. Amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period) is usually present in patients with Anorexia Nervosa while it is usually normal in the other group of patients.Binge eating is present in 25-50 % of patients with anorexia nervosa while it is present in 100 % of patients with Bulimia nervosa.The mortality rate for anorexia is around 5% in 10 years, while it is very low in Bulimia nervosa. Antisocial behavior can be found in patients with Bulimia Nervosa while it is rare in patients with Anorexia nervosa.
Cardiovascular changes are more common in patients with Anorexia nervosa like decreased heart rate and decreased blood pressure while these changes are rare with Bulimia Nervosa. Skin changes like lanugo hair, dryness etc. are common associates of
Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa are psychiatric disorders characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors. Both occur primarily in previously healthy young women who become overly concerned with their body weight and shape. Many patients with Bulimia nervosa have past histories of anorexic behavior. On the other hand, many patients with Anorexia nervosa have histories of binge eating and purging behavior. Both of them are more prevalent in cultures where food is plentiful and in which being thin is associated with attractiveness.
In spite of having so many similarities there are certain differences in between the two which make them separate entities.
In anorexia nervosa, there is refusal by the patient to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height. There is intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat even though they are underweight. In post-menarchal females, amenorrhea, i.e., the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.
Anorexia nervosa has onset in mid adolescence whereas Bulimia usually starts in late adolescence or adulthood. Weight at diagnosis is markedly decreased in Anorexia Nervosa while it is usually normal in Bulimia. Amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period) is usually present in patients with Anorexia Nervosa while it is usually normal in the other group of patients.Binge eating is present in 25-50 % of patients with anorexia nervosa while it is present in 100 % of patients with Bulimia nervosa.The mortality rate for anorexia is around 5% in 10 years, while it is very low in Bulimia nervosa. Antisocial behavior can be found in patients with Bulimia Nervosa while it is rare in patients with Anorexia nervosa.
Cardiovascular changes are more common in patients with Anorexia nervosa like decreased heart rate and decreased blood pressure while these changes are rare with Bulimia Nervosa. Skin changes like lanugo hair, dryness etc. are common associates of