An Overview on Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder

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We live in a society where ones appearance plays a major role and because of this we are encouraged, every one of us (particularly ladies) to enhance that appearance. The messages sent by magazines, television, and other media incorporate “purchase certain garments and items; straighten and brighten your teeth; dispose of your wrinkles; and most regularly, lose weight and you will be glad, appreciated, and cherished.” The late and repetitive civil argument concerning the horrible, stick dainty models utilized as a part of the design business is an impeccable illustration of how unequivocally dug in our idea of “slimness equivalents joy” has ended up. Eating disorders are not new to the medical world. In fact, the term anorexia nervosa was coined over one hundred years ago by Sir William Gull, the most renowned British physician of his time. As early as 1689, Richard Morton described an illness he called “a nervous consumption”, referring to an adolescent boy who wasted away while consumed with his studies. He described this patient as “a skeleton only clad with skin” (Bruch, 1987). Much still remains unknown about eating disorders. However, it does appear that no one factor predisposes an individual to an eating disorder. Rather it seems to be caused and maintained by an interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. Summary The two most known eating disorders are Anorexia nervosa, characterized as the compulsive need to achieve a low body weight, and Bulimia nervosa, characterized by binging and purging to avoid weight gain (Obadina, 2014). With these, the patient’s compulsion is focused on avoid weight gain, But there is also another eating disorder known as binge eating
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AN OVERVIEW ON ANOREXIA NERVOSA, BULIMIA NERVOSA, AND BINGE EATING DISORDER 3 disorder where the compulsion is focused strictly on food. It is important to understand the differences associated with each disorder so that one may be properly treated. Anorexia nervosa is a compulsive psychological disease where the person strives and becomes obsessed with keeping their body weight low (Obadina, 2014). There is a refusal to maintain body weight. People affected by anorexia nervosa stay away from certain foods that have calories and could be fattening. They tend to have perfectionist personalities and have very low confidence in themselves. Distorted bod