Click here for the DSM IV TR definition of Bulimia Nervosa

Differences between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa

For a diagnosis of anorexia, the patient must be below 85% of the normal weight for their height and age. Bulimics are often of normal weight

Patients with anorexia tend to be obsessive in their behaviour and have more control over their eating (which explains how they are able to lose so much weight), whereas patients with bulimia tend to be impulsive in their behaviour.

Anorexia sufferers do not feel the intense hunger that sufferers of Bulimia do. Bulimia sufferers tend to feel hungry, binge and then feel guilty about the binge which results in purging behaviour to compensate.