Introduction Eating disorders are rarely seen by the layman as being psychological in nature. However, as different researches have confirmed, there is a strong correlation of eating disorders with psychological disorders. A study done by Kaye et al (2004) for example established that both bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are associated with anxiety disorders. To understand these two eating abnormalities further and their effects on the affected population, this study will review some of the existing literature publishing on the two. Definitions Anorexia Nervosa According to Eysenck (2004) anorexia nervosa “is an eating disorder in which the individual is very frightened of becoming fat in spite of having very low body weight” (p. 840). Accordingly, the anorexia nervosa sufferer has body weight which is less than 85 percent of what would be their normal body weight. People with this condition are known to have a distorted thinking about their body weights and often dismiss any dangers that may arise from being underweight. According to Eysenck (2004), females are more concerned about their body weights and are therefore at an increased risk of suffering from anorexia nervosa. This explains why in the United States 90 percent of anorexia nervosa sufferers are female. According to the American Psychiatric Association (2000, cited by Eysenck, 2004), the age group most affected by this eating disorder falls between ages 14 and 18. Although people with the condition are able to recover if the disorder is properly managed, Eysenck (2004) states that the near starvation state that most anorexics live with during the period of the disorder can be life threatening. Bulimia nervosa Bulimia Nervosa is defined as “an eating disorder in which there is binge eating and compensatory behavior (e.g. self-induced vomiting) with the intention of preventing weight gain” Eysenck (2004).The criterion used to diagnose Bulimia nervosa includes the presence of binge eating where a person eats too much food within a specific period. Most people who adopt such behavior say they cannot control this kind of eating. Once the eating is done, a person will adopt an inappropriate behavior for purposes of compensating for all the food eaten. The most common compensatory behavior is induced vomiting. Other people however choose to go for long periods without taking another meal. Just like the anorexics, Eysenck (2004) observes that bulimics have a distorted way of self-evaluation, which mainly depends on their body weight or body shape. While anorexics are able to control their eating patterns, bulimic do not usually have control on their eating habits. Before engaging in binge eating, they experience great physical and emotional tension, which quickly goes away after they indulge in eating. Eysenck (2004) however notes that the tension is easily replaced by feelings of guilt, depression and self-blame, which often leads them to adopting the compensatory behaviors discussed above. Just like in anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa is most prevalent in teenagers with most suffered aged between 15 and 21 years old. Women also form the highest number of bulimics. Case studies Swain (2006) conducted a study into the beh