Anorexia and Bulimia

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1. Anorexia and bulimia are serious problems with devastating effects. Both are eating disorders, but each has distinct characteristics. What are some differences between these two disorders?

Both anorexia and bulimia are eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is a psychological condition where the person is obsessed with being thin, and sees her or his body in a distorted way. Despite being dangerously underweight, she or he views an image of a fat person when they look in the mirror.. Another distinct characteristic is a powerful fear of gaining weight and may also feel that being thin is linked to beauty or being perfect. An anorexic person restricts food intake and starves her/his body of the nutrition and energy it needs; and can become malnourished and cause damage to her or his body, particularly heart, digestive and reproductive systems; damage can be so serious that it leads to death. http://www.helpguide.org/mental/anorexia_signs_symptoms_causes_treatment.htm

Signs and symptoms of anorexia include severe weight loss, obsession with dieting, distorted perception of body weight and size; excessive exercising, refusing to eat in fear of gaining weight, denying hunger, dizziness, feeling week; poor circulation and feeling cold all the time; increased amount of facial hair, irregular or absent period (Amenorrhoea), thinning hair, bloating; constipation, heart problems, ...