Author Question: In what ways do patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa tend to be similar and in what ... (Read 138 times)

luvbio · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

In what ways do patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa tend to be similar and in what ways do they differ? Make certain to include similarities and differences in the symptoms of the disorders as well as the dysfunctional thoughts typically associated with each disorder.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are generally blamed on culture and society. At the same time, there appears to be a genetic influence as well. Explain how culture and genetics may interact in the development of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.

What will be an ideal response?

kristenb95 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Anorexic individuals voluntarily starve themselves while simultaneously believing that they can never be thin enough. By definition, anorexics are extremely underweight, and so compromise their health. Anorexics may engage in excess exercise or purging behaviors, but don't necessarily do so.
Bulimic individuals tend to binge eat and then purge by throwing up or using laxatives. They may be of any weight, but do experience health problems related to their purging behaviors.

Answer to Question 2

Cultures and societies tend to develop specific ideals regarding body weight and appearance. In the modern world, thinness is seen as highly desirable and is promoted through advertising and entertainment sources. Because the ideals are unrealistic and unattainable, this experience may be contributing to the high rates of body dissatisfaction seen in the U.S.
Genetic factors can predispose people to eating disorders if they cause the biological disregulation of eating or weight gain, or predispose people to stress, anxiety, and mood disorders thus triggering behaviors such as starving or bingeing.
In combination, cultural pressure to be thin and increasingly unattainable body ideals are thought to be contributing to the increase seen in body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.