Compare And Contrast Bulimia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa The most common eating disorders in the world are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. They are serious eating disorders that can cause extreme harm to an individual, including death. Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two different types of eating disorders, but share many commonalities and differences when it comes to causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment options that are available. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that makes people lose more weight than is considered healthy for their height and age. The patient has an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat even though they are underweight (“What is Anorexia Nervosa?” par. 1). The patient is in denial about the seriousness
9). Some people with bulimia nervosa have low self-esteem and see the disorder as a way of enhancing their self-worth. Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder in which the person binge-eats and then feels the need to compensate for the behavior by over-exercising or purging (“What is Bulimia Nervosa?” par. 1). People who are dealing with bulimia nervosa engage in recurring episodes of binge eating where they eat large amounts of high calorie foods in short periods of time. People who binge-eat can consume up to 3,000 calories in one single episode (“What is Bulimia Nervosa?” par.4-5). According to Boston Children’s Hospital, “1.1% to 5% of adolescents and 1.1% to 4.2% of females in the United States are believed to have bulimia nervosa” (“What is Bulimia Nervosa?” par.7). Young women who are exposed to Western media pertaining to slim and beautiful women are more susceptible to develop an eating disorder such as bulimia nervosa (“What is Bulimia Nervosa?” par.
14-15). Binging and purging are a way of dealing with stressful situations and unpleasant emotions. A bulimic that is about to binge has a sense of anxiety and tension and once they start the binge they are overcome with a sense of freedom and the negative feelings and thoughts disappear. During the binging process, the person may feel a loss of control and choose to induce vomiting, which helps reduce tension. At the end of the binging process, most binge-eaters may feel less anxious and tense, but may not like themselves because of what they just did to their bodies (“What is Bulimia Nervosa?” par. 27). Feelings of guilt about the purging process can cause more tension and anxiety and lead to an intense, vicious binge-purge cycle. Feelings of guilt can also lead to over-exercising, not eating at all, and the overuse of laxatives, diuretics and enemas just to prevent weight gain (“What is Bulimia Nervosa?” par. 28). The physical symptoms of anorexia nervosa result from trying to achieve weight loss quickly. People with anorexia nervosa may also binge and purge like bulimics just to achieve the results they want much faster. Anorexia nervosa can cause dehydration and malnutrition due to the vicious cycle of binging and purging. This cycle can also cause seizures and dangerous heart rhythms due to the low