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Anorexia vs Bulimia

Nancy MacGregor MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS, Clinical Director

There are numerous eating disorders. However, most have heard of anorexia and bulimia. Still, you may not be aware of the differences between the two. Often individuals suffering from these conditions need the kind of professional help found through our eating disorder therapy near Mt. Laurel, NJ, and greater South Jersey. Harmony Bay can provide you or a loved one with the information needed to recover from these conditions. Also, we can answer your questions concerning anorexia vs bulimia.

EATING DISORDERS

When it comes to anorexia vs bulimia, many people have similar questions about these common eating disorders. No matter the kind of eating disorder you or a loved one is enduring, it is doing serious damage to the body. Also, depending on how long the eating disorder has been going on, it is likely exacerbating other physical and mental health issues.

Regardless of which eating disorder, anorexia or bulimia, an individual is living with, several factors play a part in why it developed. These disorders are very complex and aren’t merely about losing weight. From irregular hormone levels or function to genetics to family history, biological factors impact an individual.

Also, eating disorders involve psychological factors. Poor or low self-esteem and pressures, both intimate and social, to change one’s appearance are common. However, perhaps the most prevalent psychological factor is the desire for control. While an individual (especially a youth or young adult) can’t control the stress in their lives, they believe they can control what and how they eat. It becomes a disorder when taken to the extreme.

ANOREXIA VS BULIMIA

As the two most common eating disorders, it’s vital to know more about anorexia and bulimia. Many may wonder, which is more dangerous or which can be treated the most easily. When it comes to anorexia vs bulimia, it isn’t a competition. Instead, you need to know how each functions, how to identify them, and where to seek therapy.

With both eating disorders, individuals restrict the foods they eat. However, those suffering from anorexia will severely reduce the food they eat. Usually, this is coupled with excessive exercise intended to lead to weight loss. Typically, those with anorexia have a negative body image avoiding situations or clothing revealing their body.

There is a similar form of bulimia called non-purging bulimia, where an individual fasts unnecessarily or engage in extreme exercise to avoid weight gain. The kind of bulimia most familiar to many is purging bulimia. Those with this condition force themselves to vomit, abuse diuretics, or use enemas or laxatives to get food out of their system. Purging bulimics may express joy in eating or seem as though they eat regularly, but in private, they purge the food from their body.

Anorexia vs bulimia both involve severe anxiety about appearance and weight, and both create an unhealthy relationship with food. Furthermore, this unhealthy relationship leads to horrible physical ailments like irregular heartbeat, lack of menstruation in women, breaking or thinning hair, calluses, sores, receding gums, and discolored, eroded, teeth.

HARMONY BAY WELLNESS

The professionals at Harmony Bay Wellness know how to navigate the anorexia vs bulimia debate. Therefore, they give you or your loved one the compassionate, attentive care needed to overcome an eating disorder. It’s all part of our larger array of programs and services such as:

We design all of these to suit the needs of our clients. The first step in recovery, whether substance abuse, addiction, or improving mental health, is asking for help. Your success is our success. Let us help you the rest of the way so you can heal and get back to the life you want to live. Contact Harmony Bay Wellness today at [Direct] to learn more.

 

Treatment with Harmony Bay

Harmony Bay is an outpatient behavioral health service that offers primary mental health treatment for a variety of mental health disorders. Our mission is to make mental health care convenient and affordable while providing an unmatched experience to our clients. contact us today by calling 855.765.6399.