What is a key characteristic that differentiates anorexia nervosa from bulimia nervosa?

The extreme restriction of food intake is a fundamental characteristic that differentiates anorexia nervosa from bulimia nervosa. Individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa typically exhibit an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image, which leads them to significantly limit their food intake to an unhealthy level. This self-imposed starvation results in a markedly low body weight and can cause serious physical health consequences.

In contrast, bulimia nervosa is characterized primarily by episodes of binge eating, where individuals consume a large amount of food in a short period, followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging (vomiting), excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives to avoid weight gain. While both disorders involve concerns about body image and can include an obsession with weight, the key differentiator lies in the behavior patterns surrounding food intake.

Thus, extreme restriction of food intake distinctly highlights anorexia nervosa, while bulimia nervosa centers around the cycle of bingeing and purging.