Dying to be Thin

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Recommended: Explain the similarities and differences between anorexia and bulimia

Dying to be Thin Anorexia and bulimia are the most common eating disorders today. They are both psychological disorders with an obsession of food and weight. There are many misconceptions in today’s society about anorexia and bulimia. Mainly that they are the same disorder, nevertheless they are not, they are very different. Anorexia and bulimia are serious, life threatening eating disorders that affect millions of people every year, however their differences in symptoms, effects, and treatment might surprise you. Eating disorders are complex and devastating, they are so common that 1 or 2 out of every 100 students struggle with one. (“Eating disorder,n.d.”) Anorexia and bulimia are not lifestyle choices, they are serious disorder with possible life threatening consequences. Both eating disorders include extreme attitudes toward weight and food issues. Most people believe they are one in the same although they do have similarities their differences are quite remarkable. Anorexics have an intense fear of gaining weight. They deprive themselves of food resulting in extreme weight loss. Anorexics have an inability to see the severity of their eating disorder. They look in the mirror and do not see a skinny person, they see an overweight person. Their body perception is distorted. On the contrary, bulimics consume large amounts of food and induce vomiting to expel it. They have an “out of control” feeling when they are eating. They often feel guilty about overeating. They to have issues with body image and will exercise excessively and use laxatives to reduce their weight. Most people that suffer from bulimia recognize their problem they just have that out of control feeling during binge episodes. The symptoms of anorexia and ... ... middle of paper ... ... differences that make them separate entities. Recognizing this can help the person seek the proper treatment and hopefully get them on their way to a more healthy and happy life. References Anorexia vs Bulimia. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2014, from www.diffen.com/Anorexia_Nervosa_vs_Bulimia_Nervosa Comer, R. J. (2013, September 20). Eating Disorders:Anorexia Nervosa vs. Bulimia Nervosa. Retrieved May 7, 2014, from http://www.psychtreatment.com/eating_disorders_anorexia_vs_bulimia.htm Eating disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved May 8, 2014, from www.kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/problems/eat_disorders.html MFHealthHub (2011, February 18). Anorexia vs. Bulimia: Finding Their Similarities and Differences. Retrieved May 7, 2014, from http://mfhealthhub.hubpages.com/hub/Anorexia-vs-Bulimia-Finding-their-Similarities-and-differences

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