Difference between depression and anorexia nervosa

Presence of preoccupation with weight and size

Preoccupation with weight and size is a core symptom of anorexia nervosa. People with anorexia nervosa have cognitively distorted perceptions of their body shape, the thickness and size of certain parts of their limbs, and so on. Despite the fact that some anorexics are slim or even excessively thin, and their body weight is seriously below normal, they still insist that they are obese and still restrict their diets; despite the fact that their bodies are getting weaker and weaker, the patients' preoccupation with their body weight and body shape and their anxiety continue unabated.

That is, the dieting of anorexia nervosa is aimed at consuming weight. Depression's loss of appetite, on the other hand, is often aimed at consuming life. They don't care about weight, size, or food. They are indifferent to eating; it's okay for them to eat, it's okay for them not to eat, they don't care. Many anorexics have absurd ideas about food and weight, such as "as soon as food is put into the mouth, the body will feel fat immediately", accompanied by strong anxiety and fear.

2. Whether to use extreme methods

Weight control anorexia nervosa is not really anorexia, but rather a fear of being fat. They starve themselves to achieve a so-called "slimmer" appearance, but their appetite is actually always there. Even if some patients complain of "lack of appetite," it may be due to a strong will to lose weight and deny hunger, or due to severe malnutrition leading to weakened digestive function.

But in depression, there really is no appetite. They don't obsess about being fat or thin all day long, they are less likely to set harsh to perverse dietary standards with the goal of losing weight, and they don't go on pills or hyperventilate with the goal of losing weight.

3. Whether there is an abnormal interest in food

Some anorexics have an abnormally high interest in food instead of a diminished one. They like to collect food books and recipes, and study cooking techniques. This increased interest in food is associated with a state of hunger caused by self-restriction of eating, and is often accompanied by an increase in certain taste sensations and the development of a predilection for food, or even heterophagy. But the loss of appetite caused by depression is a genuine lack of interest in food.