Text Link

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Bulimia vs binge eating: the differences between eating disorders

No items found.
No items found.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) are two different eating disorders that share some of the same characteristics. Both involve consuming what are considered large amounts of food in one sitting or across several hours. But people who have binge eating disorder do not engage in compensatory purging behaviors to make up for food eaten, while those who have bulimia do. 

If you think you may have an eating disorder, it’s important to determine which type you have, so you can get an accurate diagnosis, receive the proper treatment, and work toward full recovery.

4
 minute read
Last updated on 
April 19, 2023
In this article

What is bulimia?

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by a cycle of binging and then compensating in some way–either by purging, exercising, or restricting food intake–for the amount of food eaten. The underlying reason driving the compensatory behavior is fear of consuming too many calories and gaining weight.

There are three different types of bulimia: purging, non-purging, and atypical bulimia. Purging methods of compensatory behavior can include vomiting or using laxatives, diuretics or enemas. Non-purging methods to compensate for food consumed include exercising excessively or fasting. Atypical bulimia involves fewer binge/purge episodes and doesn’t meet full diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa. Purging is the most common type of bulimia, and atypical bulimia is the least common type.

Common personality traits of those with bulimia include perfectionism, compulsiveness, impulsiveness, and sensation seeking. (1)

What is binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder is characterized by eating what is considered a large amount of food in a short period of time and doing so frequently over a longer period of time, feeling out of control while doing so, and experiencing shame afterward. People who have binge eating disorder typically exhibit these behaviors: (2) 

  • Binge eating at least once a week for more than three months
  • Eating more rapidly than normal
  • Eating when not hungry
  • Eating beyond feeling full
  • Secretive eating
  • Feelings of self-disgust
  • Distress about binging
  • Binge eating with the absence of purging
  • Binging to relieve stress or anxiety
  • Feelings of worthlessness

How are bulimia and binge eating disorder similar?

There are some similarities between bulimia and binge eating disorder. Individuals who have bulimia and those who have binge eating disorder both experience binging episodes in which they eat large quantities of food over a short period of time and do so frequently. 

A desire to lose weight is common in those who have bulimia and binge eating disorder.

Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, commonly co-occur with both bulimia and binge eating disorder. (1) 

How are bulimia and binge eating disorder different?

Age of onset

The age of onset of bulimia is younger than in those with binge eating disorder. Those with binge eating disorder tend to be older and have a family history of obesity. (3,6)

Previous history of anorexia

Those who have a previous history of anorexia nervosa (AN) are more likely to have binge eating disorder, and less likely to have been treated for an eating disorder. (4) 

Severity

Binge eating disorder and the different types of bulimia vary in severity. Most severe is the purging type of bulimia. Next is the non-purging type. Binge eating disorder is the least severe. Atypical bulimia lies somewhere in between the non-purging type and binge eating disorder. (5,6)

Purging vs. non-purging

Those who have binge eating do not have the purging compensatory mechanisms found in those with regular bulimia. (7) Those who have binge eating disorder have less of a restraint and drive for thinness than those with purging or non-purging bulimia. (7) 

Body dissatisfaction

While body dissatisfaction is common among most eating disorders, it is highest in the non-purging type of bulimia. (9)

You might be interested in

Comparing the different types of bulimia

BMI differences

While BMI is not an indicator of health and is used here purely to distinguish among the different types of bulimia, research has found differences in BMI among those with different types of bulimia. Those who purge have the lowest BMI of all types of bulimia. The highest BMI is found in those with binge eating disorder. Those with non-purging bulimia and atypical bulimia fall in the middle range, between those who have purging bulimia and those with binge eating disorder. (7,8)

Who is most and least likely to use vomiting

Those who engage in purging are significantly more likely to use vomiting than those with atypical bulimia. Those who have atypical bulimia are less likely to use vomiting than those with the non-purging type, according to one study. (8)

Stomach distress found in those who purge

Those who purge have greater feelings of stomach fullness and GI distress compared to those who do not purge. (9)

Learn more about specific eating disorders

When to seek help

If you suspect you or someone you know may have binge eating disorder or one of these types of bulimia, it’s critical to seek professional help. Eating disorders do not go away by themselves, but full recovery is possible with an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. Kaye W. Neurobiology of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Physiol Behav. 2008 Apr 22;94(1):121-35. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18164737/ 
  2. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. American Psychiatric Association. Published. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
  3. Striegel-Moore RH, Cachelin FM, Dohm FA, Pike KM, Wilfley DE, Fairburn CG. Comparison of binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa in a community sample. Int J Eat Disord. 2001 mar;29(2):157-65. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11429978/ 
  4. Nunez-Navarro A, Jimenez-Murcia S, et al. Differentiating purging and nonpurging bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Int J Eat Disord. 2011 Sep;44(6):488-96. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20872757/ 
  5. Van Hoeken D, Veling W, Sinke S, Mitchell JE, Hoek HW. The validity and utility of subtyping bulimia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2009 Nov;42(7):595-602. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19621467/ 
  6. Legenbauer T, Herpertz S. Eating disorders – diagnosis and treatment. Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 2008 May;133(18):961-5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18431706/ 
  7. Jordan J, McIntosh VVW, Carter JD, Rowe S, Taylor K, Frampton CMA, McKenzie JM, Latner J, Joyce PR. Bulimia nervosa-non purging subtype: closer to the bulimia nervosa-purging subtype or to binge eating disorder? Int J Eat Disord. 2014 Apr;47(3):231-8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24282157/ 
  8. Wade TD. A retrospective comparison of purging type disorders: eating disorder not otherwise specified and bulimia nervosa. Int J Eat Disord. 2007 Jan;40(1):1-6. 
  9. Keel PK, Wolfe BE, Liddle RA, DeYoung KP, Jimerson DC. Clinical features and physiological response to a test meal in purging disorder and bulimia nervosa. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007 Sep;64(9):1058-66.

FAQs

Further reading

Overcoming emotional eating: Practical strategies for finding balance

Taking care of your basic needs, like eating, is still important, even when you're going through intense...

Can eating disorders be prevented?

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are...

How the hunger scale is used in eating disorder treatment

The hunger scale—sometimes called the hunger fullness scale or hunger satiety scale—is used in many intuitive

The link between autism and eating disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can affect many aspects of a person’s life, including their eating behaviors...

Healthy eating and eating disorder education for college students

Attending college is an exciting milestone, offering new levels of freedom and independence. But it’s also...

Is fasting an eating disorder?

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are...

How to maintain a healthy eating schedule in college

College can be one of the most exciting transitions in a person’s life. For many, it provides the first...

What is neuroplasticity?

The ability to change and adapt is often considered essential to mental health. But it’s also a critical...

Fighting fatphobia in healthcare (Part 2): IAEDP urges AAP to revise harmful guidelines for childhood “obesity”

In part two of Fighting Fatphobia in Healthcare, we explain more reasons why the International Association...

Fighting fatphobia in healthcare (Part 1): IAEDP addresses harmful AAP guidelines for childhood “obesity”

In its new guidelines for the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with "obesity," the...

How to treat eating disorders at home

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect millions of people around the world. In...

What is fatphobia?

In a world that's long been deeply influenced by the ideals of diet culture, people with certain body...

Different types of hunger

Hunger is a complex and multifaceted physical sensation that is felt in the body. Understanding the types...

Fasting vs. anorexia

Fasting and intermittent fasting (IF) are popular methods of energy consumption that limit eating to...

Tirzepatide for weight loss (Mounjaro)

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) was approved in 2022 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating type 2...

What are atypical eating disorders?

Anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED) are among some of the most...

Challenges in BIPOC eating disorders: Prevalence, bias, and treatment barriers

It is a common misconception that eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and...

How do eating disorders affect the heart?

Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (AN), binge eating disorder (BED), and bulimia nervosa (BN) can...

"You're not sick enough": Eating disorder misconceptions

Eating disorders are treatable conditions that people can fully recover from if they get help...

How the gut and brain are connected

Medical experts have long been exploring the relationship between the gut and your physical health, mental...

What are the common eating disorder symptoms and signs?

Just as every person is different, so is every experience of an eating disorder. Different conditions can...

The relationship between grief and eating disorders

Experiencing a significant loss, whether you lose a loved one, relationship, passion, job, or home, can...

What causes eating disorders?

When you or one of your loved ones is suffering from an eating disorder, it may be tempting to look for...

What are the different types of eating disorders?

There are many different types of eating disorders, each with its own unique set of challenges in treatment.

Diabetes and eating disorders

Diabetes and eating disorders are both serious conditions that can negatively affect a person’s physical...

Effects of eating disorders on your health

Conditions like bulimia nervosa (BN), anorexia nervosa (AN), binge eating disorder (BED), and other eating...

Disordered eating vs. eating disorder

While disordered eating and an eating disorder share many risk factors, signs...

Eating disorders in the military population

Eating disorders affect the military population, due in part to the...

How long can you go without food?

Just how long can the body go without food? And what are the implications...

How do I know if I have an eating disorder?

It may sound silly at first to think someone wouldn't know if they had an eating disorder, but the...

Unpacking the fear of eating in front of others

For many of us, sharing meals with others or going out to eat are the primary ways we socialize and...

The differences between bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa (AN) are two of the most well-known eating disorders, but many...

Sleep and eating disorders

Sleeping and eating share a very intimate relationship, as they are both essential...

Bulimia vs binge eating: the differences between eating disorders

Bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) are two different eating disorders...

What causes an eating disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective

Eating disorders are complex and severe psychiatric illnesses that can have many causes. The biopsychosocial..

Signs a loved one may be at risk of an eating disorder relapse

Recovery is a lifelong process for those who have struggled or...

8 eating disorder myths

Eating disorders like anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED) are...

Further reading

No items found.