Students
It is important to have a basic understanding of eating disorders, especially as an adolescent. The following information can add to current knowledge and promote awareness of eating disorders.
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge-eating and purging behaviors, dissatisfaction with weight and body image, and the presence of symptoms of depression which can be particularly seen after binging episodes. Bulimia Nervosa is predominantly a female eating disorder, and less than 1% of males meet the DSM criteria to be considered bulimic. Studies show that about 1-5% of adolescent girls meet the diagnostic criteria for Bulimia, but 10-50% of adolescent girls engage in occasional self-induced vomiting or binge-eating behaviors.
Bulimia is seen mostly in older girls; approximately 50% of all girls with bulimia show symptoms of the onset of the disorder before the age of 18. The disorder is frequently seen as an attempt to control, avoid, or lessen the impact of distressful feelings and impulses. People with bulimia nervosa tend to be behaviorally and cognitively impulsive, disorganized, narcissistic, and suggestible in nature. Furthermore, many patients show substance abuse disorders, depression, self-mutilation, and other impulsive behaviors such as shoplifting and drug abuse (Lena, Fiocco, & Leyenaar, 2004).
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person fears weight gain, becomes obsessed with their weight and the amount of food they consume resulting in an unhealthy body weight. It is a disorder that affects about 1-3% of all adolescent girls. A person with Anorexia may be obsessed with the amount of food they intake, exercise, control of situations, and have a perfectionist attitude toward schoolwork or their personal belongings. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders, "An estimated 0.5 to 3.7 percent of women suffer from anorexia nervosa in their lifetime. Research suggests that about 1 percent of female adolescents have anorexia." Individuals who are considered Anorexic will do just about anything to avoid eating or eat only small portions. (Lena,Fiocco, & Leyenaar, 2004)
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge-eating and purging behaviors, dissatisfaction with weight and body image, and the presence of symptoms of depression which can be particularly seen after binging episodes. Bulimia Nervosa is predominantly a female eating disorder, and less than 1% of males meet the DSM criteria to be considered bulimic. Studies show that about 1-5% of adolescent girls meet the diagnostic criteria for Bulimia, but 10-50% of adolescent girls engage in occasional self-induced vomiting or binge-eating behaviors.
Bulimia is seen mostly in older girls; approximately 50% of all girls with bulimia show symptoms of the onset of the disorder before the age of 18. The disorder is frequently seen as an attempt to control, avoid, or lessen the impact of distressful feelings and impulses. People with bulimia nervosa tend to be behaviorally and cognitively impulsive, disorganized, narcissistic, and suggestible in nature. Furthermore, many patients show substance abuse disorders, depression, self-mutilation, and other impulsive behaviors such as shoplifting and drug abuse (Lena, Fiocco, & Leyenaar, 2004).
What is Anorexia Nervosa?
Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person fears weight gain, becomes obsessed with their weight and the amount of food they consume resulting in an unhealthy body weight. It is a disorder that affects about 1-3% of all adolescent girls. A person with Anorexia may be obsessed with the amount of food they intake, exercise, control of situations, and have a perfectionist attitude toward schoolwork or their personal belongings. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders, "An estimated 0.5 to 3.7 percent of women suffer from anorexia nervosa in their lifetime. Research suggests that about 1 percent of female adolescents have anorexia." Individuals who are considered Anorexic will do just about anything to avoid eating or eat only small portions. (Lena,Fiocco, & Leyenaar, 2004)