DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND BULIMIA NERVOSA
Anorexia nervosa and Bulimia nervosa are both types of psychiatric disorders characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors .Both occur primarily in previously healthy young women who become overly concerned with their body weight and shape. Many patients with Bulimia nervosa have past histories of anorexic behavior. On the other hand many patients with Anorexia nervosa have histories of binge eating and purging behavior. Both of them are more prevalent in cultures where food is plentiful and in which being thin is associated with attractiveness.
Diagnostic criteria:
For anorexia nervosa,
There is refusal by the patient to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height. There is intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat even though underweight.
In post menarchal females, amenorrhea, i.e., the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.
By clinical characteristics:
• Anorexia nervosa has onset in mid adolescence whereas Bulimia usually starts in late adolescence or adulthood.
• Weight at diagnosis is markedly decreased in Anorexia Nervosa while it is usually normal in Bulimia.
• Amenorrhea is usually absent in patients with Anorexia Nervosa while it is usually normal in the other group of patients.
• Binge eating is present in 25-50 % of patients with anorexia nervosa while it is present in 100 % of patients with Bulimia nervosa.
• Mortality is around 5% in 10 years for Anorexia nervosa while it is very low in Bulimia nervosa
• Antisocial behavior can be found in patients with Bulimia Nervosa while it is rare in patients with Anorexia nervosa
By treatment:
For Anorexia Nervosa the most effective form of psychotherapy is family therapy in which the family members of the patients are also consulted by the psychiatrist along with the patient
For Bulimia Nervosa the most effective form of treatment is cognitive and behavioral therapy along with antidepressants
References:
• Harrison’s principles of internal medicine volume 1
• Current medical diagnosis and treatment