What is one key difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa?

One key difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa is that anorexia nervosa is characterized by significant weight loss that can lead to severe health complications or even death. Individuals with anorexia typically restrict their food intake to an extreme degree, which can result in malnutrition and a dangerously low body weight. This condition often includes a distorted body image, where the person sees themselves as overweight even when they are underweight.

In contrast, while individuals with bulimia nervosa may also struggle with body image and weight concerns, their primary behavior involves cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory actions, such as purging. Therefore, although both disorders are serious and can lead to health issues, the hallmark of anorexia is the extreme weight loss and its associated health risks, distinguishing it from bulimia, which does not primarily involve such extreme weight loss.