Anorexia Nervosa versus Bulimia Nervosa – The Difference is BMI |
Posted: September 28, 2016 |
While pro ana isn’t necessarily related to an eating disorder, some people who are pro ana intentionally vomit after eating and drinking, which is one method of “purging”, to rid themselves of calories they’d otherwise consume. This behavior might classified as bulimic. The focus of this blog is on differentiating between the eating disorders of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, as purging can be done with both diagnoses. To clarify, if a person meets the criteria for anorexia nervosa, and if that person also binges (eats/drinks an excessive amount of calories) and purges, then that person may have the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging type. This might be the case when the person is also underweight. Also, to go into further detail regarding methods of purging, in addition to self-induced vomiting, another method of purging is via excessive exercise. And for further clarification, some seek information about purging on pro ana chat rooms, such as http://chatzy.com/proana among others. However, if the person is not underweight, then the person does not have the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging type. Instead, a person who purges might or might not have a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, depending on whether the diagnostic criteria is met, per the DSM-V: “A) Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following: 1. Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most individuals would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances. 2. A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating). B. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviors in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise. C. The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least once a week for 3 months. D. Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight. E. The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa.” The different classifications of bulimia nervosa are as follows, depending on how often purging occurs per week, on average: “mild” is 1-3 times, “moderate” is 4-7 times, “severe” is 8-13 times, and “extreme” is 14 or more times. Thus, it’s possible for a person to move from a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa to anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purge type, if that person loses enough weight. Now, even when someone purges, some food/drink remains and isn’t purged, and those calories are absorbed by the body. Also, purging can cause organ damage, tears in the throat, and loss of teeth, which is why this author doesn’t purge, personally. Overall, eating disorders are among the deadliest of the mental disorders, but in my opinion they don’t necessarily have to be, which is addressed in another section of this series. For more information, you can purchase the book for additional information: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LGZ5KJ8 (which has the entire series on this topic) or visit
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