Bulimia vs. Anorexia: How Do They Differ? - By: K. Walsh

The number of medical conditions that exist today seem to be either growing or just increasing becoming more severe problems. Many medical ailments have symptoms that are similar which can cause the correct issue to be misdiagnosed.

There is a difference between Bulimia and Anorexia although they seem similar but these too are sometimes misdiagnosed. Sometimes we may tease one another about what we eat and how much but there are times when poor eating habits should be addressed in an appropriate way. The eating disorders of Bulimia and Anorexia both have characteristics in which negative behaviors can seriously affect one's body. Knowing the signs and the difference between Bulimia and Anorexia can help determine if someone does indeed have an eating disorder.

A Bulimic will tend to eat much larger portions of a variety of sweet and comforting foods; the calorie content is usually very high all in one eating session and then will that very food will be purged. The cycle of binging and purging is normally done in privacy so that no one will suspect anything. The binging is to find and replace certain feelings and emotions and the purging is to keep the unwanted weight off. A Bulimic will tend to look "normal"; this is to hide their eating and purging habit.

Public settings are usually avoided by the Anorexic and the amount of food that is eaten, when it is, is very small. The amount may begin in larger portions but over times will become smaller and smaller and each time their thoughts are telling them that they are still eating too much. Once the small amount of food has been eaten, the Anorexic will purge the food as they believe that this is the best way to lose weight. No matter how much, or how little, is eaten they will feel that they are still too fat.

There is no difference between Bulimia and Anorexia when it comes to the question if they have an eating disorder as both will deny the accusation. Although the Bulimic is more outgoing and sociable, they will over time become more like the Anorexic who is quiet and much less sociable. A Bulimic will maintain their "normal" weight and the Anorexic will continue to lose; what the body looks like will be harder to see the eating disorder in the Bulimic compared to the Anorexic.

Dealing with an overwhelming amount of stress or substance abuse will cause extreme negative feelings that one is not worthy, depressed and ashamed after binging and purging. The foods that are eaten by the Bulimic provide comfort but then must be purged in order to not gain weight. Feelings of guilt and depression arise due to the binging and purging and then the cycle repeats until it is an obsession in the attempt to find a piece of happiness. The Anorexic will mentally never be happy with their weight no matter how much they lose; not eating gives a sense of control that they don't feel they have over other parts of their life. Purging gets rid of the food and the unwanted weight.

There is difference between Bulimia and Anorexia in regards to their physical and psychological health. Both eating disorders can and will seriously harm if left unaddressed. Educating and understanding the disorders can help both the sufferer to take the first step towards becoming a healthy and happy individual again.

About the Author

K. Walsh is a researcher on eating disorders. If you want to have deeper understanding on the relationship between bulimia and anorexia please visit Bulimia vs. Anorexia. For free and confidential online help on bulimia you can visit Bulimia Recovery.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/K--Walsh/139355

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