Basic Facts About Bulimia and Anorexia

While both anorexia nervosa and bulimia involve distorted obsessions with food, anorexics become emaciated and bulimics usually maintain a normal weight.

* Both are considered serious psychiatric illnesses, with bulimia more common and anorexia more intractable.

* People with eating disorders may also have other psychiatric problems, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder or mood disorders.

* 86% of sufferers report onset of illness by age 20.

* 77% report duration of illness from one to 15 years.

* About 6% of serious cases die.

* Only 50% report being cured.

* Medical consequences include malnutrition, cardiac irregularity, kidney dysfunction, gastrointestinal disturbances, periodontal disease, osteoporosis, and damage to the esophagus and tooth enamel.

* Psychological consequences include shame, guilt and social withdrawal.

* Cost of treatment can be expensive: inpatient treatment can cost $30,000 or more a month; outpatient therapy can be $100,000 or more.

Sources: National Assn. of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Anorexia Nervosa and Related Disorders Inc.