Dying to be thinAnorexia and bulimia are the most common eating disorders today. They are both psychological disorders with an obsession with food and weight. There are many misconceptions in today's society regarding anorexia and bulimia. Mainly that they are the same disorder, but that is not the case, they are very different. Anorexia and bulimia are serious, life-threatening eating disorders that affect millions of people each year. However, their differences in symptoms, effects and treatment may surprise you. Eating disorders are complex and devastating, so common that one or two patients out of every 100 students struggle with one. (“Eating Disorder, nd”) Anorexia and bulimia are not lifestyle choices, they are serious disorders that can have life-threatening consequences. Both eating disorders include extreme attitudes toward weight and eating issues. Most people believe that they are one and the same, although they have similarities, their differences are quite remarkable. Anorexics have an intense fear of gaining weight. They starve themselves, leading to extreme weight loss. Anorexics are unable to see the seriousness of their eating disorder. They look in the mirror and don't see a skinny person, they see an overweight person. Their bodily perception is distorted. In contrast, bulimics consume large quantities of food and induce vomiting to expel it. They have a feeling of “loss of control” when eating. They often feel guilty about eating too much. They have body image issues, exercise excessively, and use laxatives to reduce their weight. Most people who suffer from bulimia recognize their problem, they simply experience this feeling of loss of control during episodes of bulimia. The symptoms of anorexia and...... middle of paper ...... differences make them distinct entities. Recognizing this can help the person seek the appropriate treatment and hopefully put them on the path to a healthier, happier life.ReferencesAnorexia vs Bulimia. (nd). Retrieved May 7, 2014, from www.diffen.com/Anorexia_Nervosa_vs_Bulimia_NervosaComer, RJ (September 20, 2013). Eating disorders: anorexia nervosa versus bulimia nervosa. Accessed May 7, 2014, from http://www.psychtreatment.com/eating_disorders_anorexia_vs_bulimia.htmEating Disorders. (nd). Accessed May 8, 2014, from www.kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/problems/eat_disorders.htmlMFHealthHub (February 18, 2011). Anorexia vs bulimia: finding their similarities and differences. Accessed May 7, 2014, from http://mfhealthhub.hubpages.com/hub/Anorexia-vs-Bulimia-Finding-their-Similarities-and-differences.