Anorexia and bulimia what is it

Melinda Sineriz is a freelance writer and fat acceptance advocate. Read more of her thoughts on Twitter or visit her website to learn more. This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice. These disorders are very complex, and this post does not take into account the unique circumstances for every individual. For specific questions about your health needs or that of a loved one, seek the help of a healthcare professional.

Defining Bulimia and Anorexia The definitions of bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa show the differences between the two disorders. Bulimia vs Anorexia: Common Symptoms Although the way the two eating disorders manifest are a bit different, many of the symptoms and signs are the same. Being unusually focused on body size or weight. Skipping meals or eating very small meals. Restricting foods to certain food types or groups.

Ritualizing food, such as only eating food in a specific order or not letting food touch. Withdrawing from friends and family. Withdrawing from activities previously enjoyed. Frequent changes in mood. Physical symptoms include: Gastrointestinal issues. Difficulty sleeping. Weight fluctuations. Missing periods. Difficulty concentrating. Bulimia vs Anorexia: Common Myths When it comes to eating disorders, myths abound.

Myth 3: Only teen girls have eating disorders. Recovering from Anorexia or Bulimia The good news is that people can recover from anorexia and bulimia. Search Blog. Related Pages. Excessive exercise aimed at weight loss or at preventing weight gain is common in both anorexia nervosa and in bulimia. Eating disorders are believed to result from a combination of biological vulnerability, environmental, and social factors.

A useful way of thinking about what causes an eating disorder is to distinguish predisposing, precipitating and perpetuating factors that contribute to its onset and maintenance. Individuals who develop eating disorders, especially those with the restricting subtype of anorexia nervosa are often perfectionistic, eager to please others, sensitive to criticism, and self-doubting.

They may have difficulty adapting to change and be routine bound. A smaller group of patients with eating disorders have a more extroverted temperament and are novelty-seeking and impulsive with difficulty maintaining stable relationships.

There is no one personality associated with eating disorders, however. Treatment of anorexia nervosa involves nutritional rehabilitation to normalize weight and eating behavior. Psychotherapy is aimed at correcting irrational preoccupations with weight and shape, managing challenging emotions and anxieties and preventing relapse. Interventions include monitoring weight gain, prescribing an adequate diet, and admitting patients who fail to gain weight to a specialty inpatient or partial hospitalization program.

Specialty programs combining close behavioral monitoring and meal support with psychological therapies are generally very effective in achieving weight gain in patients unable to gain weight in outpatient settings. No medications have been shown to significantly facilitate weight gain in patients with this disorder.

In the case of patients under 18 years of age, family therapy aimed at helping parents support normal eating in their child has been found to be more effective than individual therapy alone. Most uncomplicated cases of bulimia nervosa can be treated on an outpatient basis although inpatient treatment is occasionally indicated.

The best psychological treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which involves self-monitoring of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to the eating disorder. Therapy is focused on normalizing eating behavior and identifying environmental triggers and irrational thoughts or feeling states that precipitate bingeing or purging.

Patients are taught to challenge irrational beliefs about weight and self-esteem. Several medications have also been shown to be effective in decreasing bingeing and purging behaviors in bulimia. Eating disorders are behavioral problems and the most successful modalities of treatment all focus on normalizing eating and weight control behaviors whilst managing uncomfortable thoughts and feelings. Unlike people with anorexia who are very low weight, people with bulimia may be thin, average weight, or overweight.

People with bulimia often hide their eating and purging from others. Many people with binge eating disorder eat faster than normal. They may eat alone so others don't see how much they are eating. Unlike people with bulimia, those with binge eating disorder do not make themselves throw up, use laxatives, or exercise a lot to make up for binge eating. If a person binge eats at least once a week for 3 months, it may be a sign of binge eating disorder. People with ARFID don't eat because they are turned off by the smell, taste, texture, or color of food.

They may be afraid that they will choke or vomit. They don't have anorexia, bulimia, or another medical problem that would explain their eating behaviors. People with anorexia may find it hard to focus and have trouble remembering things. Mood changes and emotional problems include:. ARFID may lead to health problems that stem from poor nutrition, similar to anorexia.

There's no single cause for eating disorders. Genes, environment, and stressful events all play a role. Some things can increase a person's chance of having an eating disorder, such as:.

Health care providers and mental health professionals diagnose eating disorders based on history, symptoms, thought patterns, eating behaviors, and an exam. The doctor will check weight and height and compare these to previous measurements on growth charts. The doctor may order tests to see if there is another reason for the eating problems and to check for problems caused by the eating disorder.

Eating disorders are best treated by a team that includes a doctor, dietitian, and therapist. Treatment includes nutrition counseling, medical care, and talk therapy individual, group, and family therapy. The doctor might prescribe medicine to treat binge eating, anxiety, depression, or other mental health concerns.

The details of the treatment depend on the type of eating disorder and how severe it is.