Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

• Published in: The Disorders pp. 57 - 64
• Main Authors: Mussell, Melissa Pederson, Mitchell, James E.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: United States Academic Press 2001; Elsevier Science & Technology
• Subjects: Clinical psychology; Health psychology; Psychiatry
• ISBN: 0122678052; 9780122678059
• DOI: 10.1016/B978-012267805-9/50007-9

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are two of the most commonly recognized eating disorders that encompass a variety of psychiatric disorders involving disturbed eating patterns and attitudes toward food and body image. Unhealthy weight control practices and intense body image distortion or disparagement are central features of eating disorders. The hallmark feature of anorexia nervosa (AN) is failure to maintain a minimally normal body weight. Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating (eating large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control) and compensatory behaviors (for example, purging, fasting, or excessive exercise). Overlap among the symptoms of these disorders occurs in some individuals. Furthermore, individuals may engage in disturbed eating behaviors and/or indicate intense body image disparagement, but not meet full criteria for AN or BN. However, combining prevalence rates across various types of disorders reveals that up to 5 to 10% of women may be afflicted with a diagnosable eating disorder (AN or BN). Serious medical, psychological, and social consequences are associated with these disorders. The treatment of individuals with eating disorders often requires a multifaceted approach such as psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, nutritional counseling, and medical management involving members of several professional disciplines (for example, dieticians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and internists) and in various settings (inpatient, outpatient, day treatment, and residential). A sizable subgroup of individuals with either AN or BN do not adequately respond to established therapies, or do respond but subsequently relapse.