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Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two of the major eating disorders globally. Although, patients suffering from the disease may develop some similar symptoms. However, their behavior towards food and its impact on their body is different. So let’s have anorexia vs bulimia compare and contrast.
Anorexia nervosa is a medical condition that harms the patient’s psychological and physical state. The condition may become life-threatening if left untreated. A person is diagnosed with anorexia when they have dangerously low body weight and a fear of gaining weight. Anorexic patients tend to be on hunger strikes to prevent them from gaining weight. Bulimia, on the other hand, is comprised of a cycle of rapid binge eating followed by purging to lose weight. A person who follows this cycle at least once a week for three consistent months is ruled out as bulimic.
Generally, people suffering from anorexia and bulimia have a common aim of losing weight by following an unhealthy lifestyle. However, while comparing anorexia vs bulimia, one realizes that an anorexic person loses weight more quickly and drastically than a person who has bulimia.
Anorexic people follow highly unhealthy diets and deprive themselves of essential nutrients. As a result, the person tends to become abnormally weak due to malnourishment. In contrast to anorexia, a bulimic person has un-administered abnormally rapid eating patterns. After the patient gets their fill, they start feeling bad about their weight and looking for quick ways to tone down their bodies.
For example, the person may purge by a couple of factors, such as self-induced vomiting manually or using ipecac syrup, taking laxatives in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquid syrup in an attempt to empty their bowels, consuming diuretics in the hope of losing weight (Diuretics are used to remove sodium salt and water from your body, so it does not help lose bodyweight; there are cases when a bulimic patient experiences a minor reduction in body weight, but since only water is excreted, the change is temporary), and injecting enemas to help pass out a stool to remove the extra calories they consumed while binge eating.
Restricting food intake is the characteristic of both of these eating disorders. However, the main difference between anorexia and bulimia is that a bulimic patient refrains from eating to make up for the extra calorie intake. In addition, there are a few symptoms that can distinguish the two disorders. The symptoms of anorexia are the following:
| Factors | Symptoms |
| Bodyweight | The person loses bodyweight at an abnormally fast rate |
| Voluntary Starvation | They do this by avoiding meals or entirely skipping meals at breakfast, lunch, and dinner times |
| Typical Meal | Cutting out portions and consuming a fraction of the typical meal |
| Lifestyle | People suffering from anorexia also revolve their entire focus on maintaining their weight to a fixed value rather than considering a healthy lifestyle and consuming the vital nutrients in a balanced way |
| Disclosure | They also try to hide their eating habits as they know it is questionable and unhealthy |
| Unhealthy Appearance | Due to the lack of essential vitamins and minerals through the proper diet required for average growth, a person suffering from anorexia may also have brittle hair, nails, and an overall weak appearance. This further causes deficiency of nutrients leading to anemia |
| Constipation | Eating small amounts of food slows down an individual’s metabolism, and the person may eventually suffer from constipation |
| Fainting and Lethargy | It makes an anorexic person weak, and they may not be able to carry out life processes with efficiency as the weakness induces lethargy and even fainting |
| Female Menstrual Cycle | Anorexia also develops dysfunction in the hypothalamus, which leads to disruption in females’ menstrual cycle and even amenorrhea |
| Organ System | When the body does not have sufficient energy, the organs may stop working correctly. As anorexia prolongs, the organ systems die out |
Now let’s have a look at the symptoms of bulimia for a thorough comparison:
| Factors | Symptoms |
| Bulimia Nervosa | A person who has frequent episodes of binge eating can be suffering from bulimia nervosa |
| Secretive Eating | Such people have a habit of secretive eating to blend in the society and feel less bad about themselves |
| Electrolyte Imbalance | When a bulimic person eats an abnormally larger ratio of food and then starves themselves for long periods, they are likely to develop an electrolyte imbalance. In severe cases, this can lead to spasms, convulsions, and muscle twitching; this can result in irregular heartbeat and unsteady blood pressure levels |
| Irritation and Swollenness | As a result of continuous binging and purging, the neck’s salivary glands and lymph nodes get irritated and appear swollen. The swelling is also a result of persistent acid reflux irritating the sensitive lining in the esophagus. It leads to redness, swollen neck, and round cheeks |
| Damages to Organs | As a result of acid reflux, a bulimic patient may also experience oral health issues. These include losing teeth or broken teeth, and painful gums |
| Hidden Eating Attempts | A person who has bulimia is likely to eat privately or disappear after meals as a result of post-meal guilt |
| Dehydration | Such a person is highly likely to develop extreme dehydration and all the adverse effects following it |
A comparison of bulimia vs anorexia shows that the treatment of both revolves around seeking professional help. It is better if the anorexia is diagnosed in its early stages as it reduces the dependence on professional help. It is vital to see a certified physician and receive counseling daily. Anorexic patients prefer an in-house treatment, which gives the dietician a chance to closely observe the patients’ routine and ensure they adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Without the help of professional medical personnel, it is almost impossible to treat anorexia. Bulimia, on the contrary, is easier to treat as the person has to become alert and only take charge of their abnormal eating behavior. There are three ways to treat bulimia, namely hospitalization, cognitive therapy, and behavior therapy. It is wise to opt for the latter as it helps the person concentrate on specific goals and work towards achieving them.
For example, acquiring an alternate eating pattern can help counter their binge eating disorder. Cognitive therapy is also helpful in treating various issues like drug abuse, anxiety, depression, marital problems, and eating disorders like bulimia. The therapy involves replacing an old habit with a new and more productive habit. This diverts the person’s attention and makes it easier for them to overcome bulimia.
If the comparison of anorexia vs bulimia is made, it reveals that both are self devastating eating dysfunctions, but they have different signs and symptoms. Therefore, it is necessary to observe the symptoms and diagnose correctly to provide an authentic and relevant treatment plan. It is also advisable to seek help from a mental health professional to maintain mental health stability during and after the treatment.