Anorexia and bulimia are similar in the sense that people with both want to improve body shape and weight. Bulimia is defined as “Episodes of binge eating that recur at least twice weekly for 3 months or longer. The bulimic presents with the same undue emphasis on body weight and shape as seen in the anorexic, but weight loss may not be as remarkable or even noticeable as with anorexia” (Steinberg, 2014). There is no definite cause of bulimia; however, doctors have discovered a few possible causes. Mayo Clinic states a few possible causes of bulimia as “Biology, emotional health, societal expectations and other issues” (“Bulimia Nervosa”, 2016). Anyone can become bulimic if they are depressed, are related to someone with bulimia, or pay too much attention to what society paints as the ideal body type. Bulimia is characterized by episodes of intense eating followed by extreme measures to make sure no weight is gained. Mayo Clinic describes a few symptoms of bulimia as, “Eating much more food in a binge episode than in a normal meal or snack, forcing yourself to vomit or exercise too much to keep from gaining weight after bingeing, misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemas after eating, restricting calories or avoiding certain foods between binges, using dietary supplements or herbal products excessively for weight loss” (“Bulimia Nervosa”, 2016). A few medical conditions the article “Medical and Dental Implications of Eating …show more content…
Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating are the three most common eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia are both disorders in which the motivation is body image and weight. On the other hand, a person with binge eating disorder is one who eats excessively and gains weight. None of the disorders has a definite cause; however, many doctors believe they are tied to depression. There are many ways to help treat eating disorders. A few ways are prescriptions, therapy, a strict diet plan, and hospitalization. With hospitalization, one can be treated as an outpatient or an inpatient depending on their medical conditions and symptoms. Eating disorders are not a joke, funny, or something people do to get attention. They are very serious and can result in some serious medical and life-threatening conditions. It is important to be able to know the signs of an eating disorder and make sure help is always available for anyone who needs