Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: are these diseases really antipodes?

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the main forms of eating disorders that characterized by both obvious similarities and certain differences between each other. The commonality of the two disorders is determined by the predominant occurrence in adolescent and young women, deterioration of physical health, significant psychiatric comorbidity and high suicidal risk. Psychotherapy is the principal treatment for both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. At the same time, unlike anorexia nervosa, the pharmacological agents with proven clinical efficacy for the treatment of bulimia nervosa exist. Patients with bulimia nervosa are more motivated and adherent to treatment.