Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterised by abnormal eating behaviours and a preoccupation with weight, body shape, and food. Two of the most well-known eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, both of which can have severe physical and psychological consequences if left untreated.

Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is defined by the DSM-5 as a restriction of energy intake relative to requirements, leading to a significantly low body weight in the context of age, sex, developmental trajectory, and physical health. Individuals with anorexia nervosa have an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even when underweight. They often experience a distorted body image, placing undue influence on body weight or shape in self-evaluation. There are two subtypes:

1. Restricting type: Weight loss is achieved through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
2. Binge-eating/purging type: Episodes of binge eating or purging behaviours (e.g., self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives) occur.

Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating, characterised by consuming an unusually large amount of food in a discrete period while feeling a lack of control over eating. This is followed by compensatory behaviours to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. Unlike anorexia nervosa, individuals with bulimia nervosa typically maintain a normal or slightly above-normal body weight. The DSM-5 criteria emphasise that self-evaluation is excessively influenced by body shape and weight, and these behaviours occur at least once a week for three months.

Key Considerations
Both disorders often co-occur with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive traits. Early intervention and a multidisciplinary approach involving psychological therapy, nutritional support, and medical care are essential for effective treatment. Awareness of these disorders and understanding their diagnostic criteria can help reduce stigma and encourage individuals to seek help.

This revised text provides a clear, structured, and accurate overview of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, aligned with DSM-5 and written in UK English.