Compare and contrast the eating disorders bulimia nervosa,

Question

and anorexia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Answer 1

People with eating disorders use food as a psychological
coping mechanism. However, those with bulimia nervosa
(BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) turn to food during
periods of stress and emotional conflict, whereas those
with anorexia nervosa (AN) will turn away from food
toward restriction not just during stressful times, but
at all times. A noticeable difference is that people with
AN become very thin while those with BN may have a
normal weight or their weight may fluctuate. Those with
BED tend to be overweight or obese. Motivations for food
behaviors can also differ between the three disorders.
Individuals with AN often feel satisfaction from their food
restriction and weight loss. In contrast, people with BN and
BED are more likely to have low self-esteem and frequently
feel ashamed and unhappy about their eating behaviors.
Additionally, BN is characterized by impulsive behaviors,
and therefore is associated with other unhealthy behaviors
like substance abuse or suicidal tendencies.
For those reasons, people of BN are more
likely to seek treatment than are those with
anorexia nervosa.