The document discusses anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Anorexia is characterized by an intense fear of weight gain and refusal to maintain a healthy weight. Bulimia involves binge eating followed by purging to prevent weight gain. Both disorders are more common in females and their exact causes are unknown but involve genetic, hormonal, and social factors. Treatment for both typically involves cognitive behavioral therapy, nutritional counseling, and sometimes antidepressants, with the goal of addressing unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. Prognosis is good if patients seek proper medical help but weight management may be a lifelong focus.

1. Anorexia and
Bulimia
Ciudad de los Poetas: Biology 3rdA/B

2. What do you already
know about these
illnesses?

3. Anorexia nervosa
• Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that makes
people lose more weight than is considered healthy
for their age and height.
• Persons with this disorder may have an intense fear
of weight gain, even when they are underweight.
They may diet or exercise too much or use other
ways to lose weight.
• Anorexia often begins during the pre-teen or teen
years. It is more common in females, but may also
be seen in males.
Source: Medline Plus (www.nlm.nih.gov)

4. Anorexia: Causes
• The exact causes of anorexia nervosa are not
known. Many factors may be involved, including
genes, hormones, and social attitudes.
• Risk factors for anorexia include:
o Being worried about/ paying more attention to weight and
shape
o Having an anxiety disorder or eating problems as a child
o Having a negative self-image
o Having certain social or cultural ideas about health and
beauty
o Trying to be perfect or overly focused on rules
Source: Medline Plus (www.nlm.nih.gov)

5. Anorexia: Symptoms
• A person with anorexia usually:
o Has an intense fear of gaining weight or
becoming fat, even when underweight
o Refuses to keep weight at what is considered
normal for age and height (15% or more
below the normal weight)
o Have a body image that is very distorted, be
very focused on body weight or shape, and
refuse to admit the danger of weight loss
• Other symptoms of anorexia may include:
o Confused or slow thinking, along with poor
memory or judgment
o Depression
o Loss of bone strength and muscle
Source: Medline Plus (www.nlm.nih.gov)

6. Anorexia: Treatment
• The biggest challenge in treating anorexia nervosa
is helping the person recognize that he or she has
an illness.
• Different programs have been designed to treat
anorexia. Sometimes the person can gain weight
by:
o Increasing social activity
o Reducing the amount of physical activity
o Using schedules for eating
• Many patients start with a short hospital stay and
follow-up with a day treatment program.
• Support groups may also be helpful.
Source: Medline Plus (www.nlm.nih.gov)

7. Bulimia nervosa
• Bulimia is an illness in which a person has regular
episodes of overeating (bingeing) and feels a loss
of control.
• The person then uses different ways, such as
vomiting, to prevent weight gain (purging).
• Many people with Bulimia also have Anorexia.
Source: Medline Plus (www.nlm.nih.gov)

8. Bulimia: Causes
• Like Anorexia, the exact causes of Bulimia are
unknown. Likely it is due to a combination of factors.
• Again, more women than men have Bulimia, and it
is especially common among teenage girls.
Source: Medline Plus (www.nlm.nih.gov)

9. Bulimia: Symptoms
• The person often eats large amounts of high-calorie
foods, usually in secret.
• Binges lead to self-disgust, which causes purging to
prevent weight gain and bring a sense of relief.
Purging may include:
o Forcing oneself to vomit
o Excessive exercise
o Using laxatives
• People with Bulimia are often at a normal weight,
but they may see themselves as being overweight.
Because the person's weight is often normal, other
people may not notice this eating disorder.
• Other symptoms may include cavities or gum
infection, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.
Source: Medline Plus (www.nlm.nih.gov)

10. Bulimia: Treatment
• Most often, a stepped approach is used for patients
with bulimia.
o Support groups may be helpful for mild bulimia without
other health problems.
o Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and nutritional therapy
are the first treatments for bulimia that does not respond to
support groups.
• CBT helps patients to examine patterns of thinking that
lead to self-destructive actions, so that they can modify
those patterns of thinking and thereby change
negative behaviors.
o Antidepressants are often used for bulimia. A combination
of CBT and antidepressants can be effective if CBT does
not work alone.
Source: Medline Plus (www.nlm.nih.gov)

11. Anorexia and Bulimia:
Prognosis
• Both Anorexia and Bulimia are serious health issues
that require medical attention.
• If the proper medical help is sought, patients can
live healthy lives. However, weight-management
may be something that they have to focus on for
the rest of their lives.