What is a common feature of both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa?

A common feature of both Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa is the disturbance in the perception of body image. Individuals with these eating disorders often experience a distorted view of their body size and shape, leading them to perceive themselves as overweight even when they may be underweight or at a normal weight. This distorted body image drives unhealthy eating behaviors and significant preoccupation with weight and shape.

In Anorexia Nervosa, this distortion leads to severe restriction of food intake and an intense fear of gaining weight. Similarly, in Bulimia Nervosa, even though individuals may engage in binge eating episodes followed by compensatory behaviors (such as purging), they still struggle with a distorted body image that influences their eating patterns and self-esteem. Thus, the significant impact of body image distortion is a key characteristic that links both disorders when considering the psychological factors involved.