Bulimia Nervosa and Anorexia Nervosa

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Eating disorders are extremely harmful and rising in prevalence. . The two most common eating disorders are Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. In this essay, I will compare and contrast these two disorders. This essay will also assess the symptoms, causes, health affects and the most prevalent characteristics of people diagnosed with these two eating disorders. “Anorexia Nervosa is characterized by self-starvation to avoid obesity. People with this disorder believe they are overweight, even when their bodies become grotesquely distorted by malnourishment.” (Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia) Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa include: heart muscle damage, heartbeat irregularities, low blood pressure, kidney damage, kidney failure, convulsions or seizures, loss of menstrual period in women, loss of bone density and fertility problems. (Schulherr) Anorexia Nervosa not only has physical symptoms but psychological symptoms as well. The psychological symptoms include strange behaviors, such as, only eating certain foods based primarily on caloric intake. Along with strange eating rituals, Anorexia Nervosa impairs your ability to think clearly.. (Schullherr) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition classifies Anorexia Nervosa as the refusal to maintain a minimum body weight. Individuals with Anorexia Nervosa have a phobia of becoming obese or gaining weight. Individuals that suffer from Anorexia Nervosa have a negative body image. Individuals that suffer from Anorexia Nervosa are over critical of self-image and they feel like their weight is a measure of their self worth. (Schullherr, Eating Disorders For Dummies) These individuals often deny that they are too thin. In females, they will quit h... ... middle of paper ... ...t) In closing, Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa both have severe repercussions on the affected individual’s health and psychological well being. These two eating disorders not only affect their physical health, but also have severe, long-term psychological effects. If individuals that are suffering from either eating disorder go without treatment, the disease can become detrimental to their health. Works Cited Austin, S. Bryn, et al. "Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obesity at the Intersections of Gender, Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation in US High School Students." American Journel of Public Health 103.2 (2013): 16-22. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia. 6th. —. Eating Disorders. 6th. Moura, Sophia Banay. "Starvation Nation." Marie Claire ( US ) July 2011: 98-172. Schulherr, Susan. Eating Disorders For Dummies. 2008. —. Eating Disorders For Dummies. 2008.

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