Anorexia vs. Bulimia: Key Differences and Understanding the Disorders

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are serious eating disorders with key differences:

Anorexia Nervosa

• Intense fear of weight gain, desire to be thin, distorted body image.
• Severe food restriction leading to malnutrition, dehydration.

Bulimia Nervosa

• Binge eating followed by purging (vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise).
• Cycle causes dehydration, electrolyte imbalances.

Key Differences

Aspect	Anorexia	Bulimia
Body weight	Typically underweight	Normal or overweight
Food intake	Severe restriction	Binge then purge
Binge eating	Absent	Present
Purging	Absent	Present (vomiting, laxatives, exercise)
Health consequences	Malnutrition, dehydration, etc.	Dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, etc.

Both are serious; seek professional help if you or someone you know may have an eating disorder. Treatment enables recovery and healthy life.