| The distinctions between eating disorders can be | | | | -Goes to the bathroom a lot after eating (to purge) |
| confusing. While anorexia and bulimia may have some | | | | Health Issues: |
| issues in common, other factors make them distinct. | | | | Both disorders can cause severe health issues. Bulimia |
| For parents, understanding the differences can be | | | | damages the digestive system and can affect |
| crucial, as early detection and proper treatment | | | | electrolyte balances, which in turn damages organs. |
| significantly improve the chances a child will recover. | | | | The starvation of anorexia causes the body to slow |
| Following is information to help distinguish between the | | | | down to preserve energy, which in turn has adverse |
| two. | | | | consequences. In extreme cases, both can lead to |
| Definition: | | | | death. Other health issues include: |
| Anorexia is more common in teenagers, while bulimia is | | | | Anorexia |
| more often seen in women in their 20's. However, don't | | | | -Reduction of bone density |
| make the mistake of thinking there is a set age for | | | | -Cessation of menstrual periods |
| either of these diseases. Here are differences | | | | -Fatigue |
| between anorexia and bulimia based on the American | | | | -Depression |
| Psychiatric Association's definition: | | | | -Irregular heart rate, leading to possible heart failure |
| Bulimia Nervosa | | | | -Mild anemia |
| -Recurrent episodes of binge eating (minimum average | | | | -Muscle loss |
| of two binge-eating episodes a week for at least | | | | -Possible kidney failure due to dehydration |
| three months). | | | | -Low blood pressure |
| -A feeling of lack of control over eating during the | | | | Bulimia |
| binges. | | | | -Possible rupture of the esophagus due to frequent |
| -Regular use of one or more of the following to | | | | vomiting |
| prevent weight gain: self-induced vomiting, use of | | | | -Fatigue |
| laxatives or diuretics, strict dieting or fasting, or vigorous | | | | -Depression |
| exercise. | | | | -Stomach pains |
| -Persistent over-concern with body shape and weight. | | | | -Irregular heart rate, leading to possible heart failure |
| Anorexia Nervosa | | | | -Constipation |
| -Refusal to maintain weight that's over the lowest | | | | -Tooth decay from stomach acid |
| weight considered normal for age and height. | | | | Treatment: |
| -Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even | | | | When seeking treatment, parents may find their child |
| though underweight. | | | | resists admitting they are ill. In dealing with a child |
| -Distorted body image. | | | | suffering from an eating disorder, treatment for |
| -In women, three consecutive missed menstrual | | | | involves a team of specialists: doctors, dieticians, and |
| periods without pregnancy. | | | | therapists. Self-help groups and treatment centers are |
| Signs & Symptoms: | | | | also effective. Following are treatment goals and |
| While both disorders focus on an obsession with | | | | options for anorexia and bulimia, based on |
| thinness, anorexics display noticeable, often severe | | | | recommendations from the National Institute of Mental |
| weight loss while bulimics usually maintain a healthy | | | | Health: |
| weight. Here are other signs and symptoms of these | | | | Anorexia: The treatment of anorexia has three main |
| two eating disorders: | | | | phases: |
| Anorexia | | | | -Restore weight loss |
| -Avoids eating | | | | -Treat psychological issues such as depression, |
| -Exercises excessively | | | | self-esteem, and interpersonal conflicts |
| -Weighs food and counts calories | | | | -Achieve long-term recovery and remission |
| -Wears baggy clothes | | | | The use of anti-depressants for treating anorexia |
| -Takes diet pills | | | | should be considered only after weight gain has been |
| -Has dry skin and thinning hair | | | | established. |
| -Has fine hair on other parts of body | | | | Bulimia: The main goal in the treatment of bulimia is to |
| -Acts moody or depressed | | | | eliminate binging and purging. |
| -Feels cold | | | | -Establish healthy and consistent eating habits, i.e. three |
| -Has frequent sensation of dizziness | | | | meals a day at regular times |
| Bulimia | | | | -Encourage healthy, not excessive, exercise |
| -Has a puffy face | | | | -Treat psychological issues such as mood or anxiety |
| -Exercises excessively | | | | disorders |
| -Has swollen fingers | | | | The use of anti-depressants for treating bulimia has |
| -Has cuts and calluses on the back of the hands and | | | | been shown to be helpful for those with bulimia and |
| knuckles | | | | may help prevent relapse. |
| -Discoloring or staining of teeth | | | | |