Anorexia Nervosa / Bulimia Nervosa Quiz
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What is Anorexia Nervosa / Bulimia Nervosa?
A condition with a heightened fear of gaining weight and focus on controlling body image. Patients try to lose weight excessively through fasting, inducing vomiting, or excessive exercise. Binge eating may also be involved.
Typical Symptoms of Anorexia Nervosa / Bulimia Nervosa
- Strict dietary restrictions
- Fear of gaining weight despite already being thin
- Thinking that one is fat despite healthy body weight
- Stressed over daily life
- Swelling leaves a dent when pressed for at least 15 seconds
- Self-induced vomiting
- Recent changes in mental state
- Swelling of the arms or hands
Diagnostic Questions for Anorexia Nervosa / Bulimia Nervosa
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are you on a strict diet?
- Do you fear gaining weight even if you are thin?
- Do you feel overweight despite others disagreeing?
- Do you feel stressed or unhappy about going to work or school?
- Does the swelling leave a dent when pressed for at least 15 seconds?
Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa / Bulimia Nervosa
Treatment aims to overcome the fear of weight gain and maintain a healthy weight. This is done mostly through various forms of therapy with a counselor. Group and family therapy sessions may help too. Medications can be given to help with associated problems like anxiety or depression. In severe cases with malnourishment, hospitalization may be needed to monitor and bring weight back up to a healthy level.
Reviewed By:
Weston S. Ferrer, MD (Psychiatry)
Weston Ferrer is a physician leader, psychiatrist, and clinical informaticist based in San Francisco. With nearly a decade of experience in academia and more recent immersion in industry, he has made significant contributions to the fields of digital health, health tech, and healthcare innovation. | As an Associate Professor at UCSF, Weston was involved in teaching, leadership, and clinical practice, focusing on the intersection of technology and mental health. He recently led mental health clinical for Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences), where he applied his expertise to develop innovative solutions for mental healthcare using the tools of AI/ML, digital therapeutics, clinical analytics, and more.. | Weston is known for his unique ability to innovate and support product development while bringing pragmatism to technology entrepreneurship. He is a strong advocate for patient-centered care and is committed to leveraging technology to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. |
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Content updated on Jan 14, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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FAQs
Q.
Is it Anorexia Nervosa? The Medical Reality and Your Critical Next Steps
A.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious, treatable medical and mental health condition marked by severe food restriction, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, and often low weight, with risks like heart rhythm problems and organ issues; it can also present atypically even when someone does not look underweight. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand urgent red flags, how diagnosis really works, and the most effective next steps such as seeing a doctor now, getting a mental health evaluation, building support, and using symptom checks only as guidance, plus other key details below that could change what you do next.
References:
* Galmiche, J., Dechelotte, P., Lambert, G., & Tavolacci, M. P. (2019). Anorexia nervosa: an update on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. *Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience*, *21*(3), 223–233.
* Mehler, P. S., & Brown, C. (2017). Medical Management of Anorexia Nervosa: A Review. *International Journal of Eating Disorders*, *50*(4), 312–326.
* Yager, J., et al. (2019). Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the medical and psychiatric treatment of eating disorders. *Journal of Clinical Psychiatry*, *80*(4), 18cs12443.
* Murray, S. B., et al. (2020). Early Intervention in Eating Disorders: A Narrative Review of Outcomes. *Journal of Eating Disorders*, *8*(1), 1–11.
* Heruc, G., et al. (2020). Clinical assessment and diagnosis of anorexia nervosa in adolescents and young adults: challenges and recommendations. *Journal of Eating Disorders*, *8*(1), 1–12.
Q.
Trapped by food? The science of eating disorders and medical steps to heal.
A.
Eating disorders are serious, treatable medical and mental health illnesses rooted in biology, psychology, and environment; effective care pairs medical evaluation and stabilization with nutritional rehabilitation, evidence-based therapy, and, when appropriate, medication or higher levels of care. There are several factors to consider, including health risks, early warning signs, and red flags that warrant urgent care; see the complete details below to understand what to watch for and how to choose your next steps.
References:
* Treasure J, Dally L, O'Connor M. Eating disorders. BMJ. 2020 Feb 26;368:l6708. doi: 10.1136/bmj.l6708.
* Mehler PS, Rylander M. Anorexia nervosa medical complications. J Eat Disord. 2020 Jan 16;8:1. doi: 10.1186/s40337-020-0284-z.
* Slof-Op 't Landt MC, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM, van Furth EF. Genetic and Neurobiological Aspects of Eating Disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2020;46:1-21. doi: 10.1007/7854_2019_107.
* Rohde P, Stice E, Butryn ML, et al. An updated review of evidence-based psychological treatments for eating disorders. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2021 Apr;50(2):292-308. doi: 10.1080/15374416.2020.1780822.
* Fairburn CG, Doll HA. The empirical status of the transdiagnostic cognitive behavioural therapy for eating disorders. Behav Res Ther. 2020 Jun;129:103602. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2020.103602.
Q.
Is it Anorexia? Why Your Brain Rejects Food & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Anorexia is a serious brain-based disorder that can make your brain feel like it rejects food; look for restrictive eating, intense fear of weight gain, distorted body image, and physical changes, and seek prompt medical evaluation and evidence-based therapy at the right level of care, getting urgent help for red flags like fainting or chest pain. There are several factors to consider. See below for the full list of signs, why the brain reacts this way, a quick symptom check, and step-by-step guidance that could change which next step you take.
References:
* Steinglass JE, Sysko R, Glasofer DR, et al. Neurocircuitry of impaired food-related decision-making in anorexia nervosa. Transl Psychiatry. 2017 Mar 28;7(3):e1071. doi: 10.1038/tp.2017.39. PMID: 28350352.
* Kaye WH, Wierenga CE, Stein D, et al. Neurobiology of anorexia nervosa: A translational perspective. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2019;40:229-253. doi: 10.1007/7858_2018_20. PMID: 29804153.
* Marzola E, Nasser JA, Hashim NA, et al. Nutritional rehabilitation in anorexia nervosa: an international perspective. Int J Eat Disord. 2019 Apr;52(4):359-367. doi: 10.1002/eat.23075. Epub 2019 Mar 25. PMID: 30907409.
* Lock J. Anorexia nervosa in children and adolescents. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2018 Apr;27(2):167-179. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.11.002. Epub 2018 Jan 20. PMID: 29502758.
* Touyz S, Lacey H, Hay P. Anorexia nervosa. Lancet. 2019 Jan 19;393(10166):70-82. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31630-7. Epub 2018 Oct 18. PMID: 30343890.
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American Psychological Association - Anorexia Nervousa
https://dictionary.apa.org/anorexia-nervosaAmerican Psychological Association - Bulimia Nervosa
https://dictionary.apa.org/bulimia-nervosaAmerican Psychological Association - Treatment for Eating Disorders
https://www.apa.org/topics/eating-disorders/treatment