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Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are both eating disorders; due to the peculiarities of the course of disorders, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish them. In both cases, it is possible to refuse to eat, excessive concern about body weight and appearance, depressive states. At the same time, the methods of treatment and the rules of nutrition after the disease differ.
It is assumed that the etiology of nervosa and bulimia nervosa is similar. The exact causes of eating disorders have not been established, but predisposing factor (stress) have been identified. A common feature of patients with nervosa and bulimia nervosa is a distorted view of their own body (Eeden et al., 2021). Regardless of the actual features of their physique, they consider themselves fat. If objective information such as height-weight ratio indicates a lack of body weight or normal weight, then patients ignore it or devalue it. Weight control becomes the main goal of existence; therefore, weight loss methods are used that threaten health, and sometimes life in general. Thinness and slimness are considered as mandatory conditions for personal happiness.
The difference between nervosa and bulimia nervosa is in the peculiarities of the course of disorders. The motives of behavior, concomitant emotional disorders and the appearance of patients differ. Anorexia nervosa begins with a gradual but progressive refusal to eat. At first, the idea of the imperfection of ones own body arises, then the amount of food consumed begins to decrease, up to hunger strikes. The longer the disease lasts, the more severe restrictions are imposed by patients. Exhaustion of the body develops. The external signs of anorexia include painful thinness, body weight below the norm by 15% or more, as well as symptoms of exhaustion cessation of menstruation, weakness, hair loss, bone fragility and others (Eeden et al., 2021). The key difference between nervosa and bulimia nervosa is that with bulimia nervosa, the desire to lose weight and attempts to lose weight alternate with bouts of uncontrolled overeating.
Therefore, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa have a similar prevalence and causes, but differ in the nature of the course. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by the dominant idea of losing weight, a gradual steady reduction in the caloric content of the diet, the development of exhaustion. With bulimia nervosa, dietary restrictions are a way to compensate for bouts of gluttony that cannot be controlled and occur regularly.
References
Eeden, A. E., Hoeken, D. V., & Hoek, H. W. (2021). Incidence, prevalence and mortality of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34(6), 512524.
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