Anorexia is often driven by perfection. In her previously cited New York Time's best seller, Aimee Liu states that the eating disordered can be divided amongst three groups. (1) Overcontrolled (2) Perfectionists (3) Undercontrolled. "Though filled with self-loathing, anorexics [practice] self-discipline...which they often take to extremes of self-denial and self-punnishment..." (Liu, p39) Bulimics, on the other hand, often display "self-doubt" and "self-contempt." (Liu) "Anorectics, not known for their sisterhood, are notoriously preoccupied with the self". (Brumberg, p 39)
"[One with anorexia] operates under the astounding illusion that she can escape the flesh, and, by association, the realm of emotions." -Marya Hornbacher
"Anorexia is a pathology of the ordinary issues of adolescent passage." (Brumberg, p. 30)
DMS-IV Diagnostic Criteria:A. Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height (e.g., weight loss leading to maintenance of body weight less than 85% of that expected; or failure to make expected weight gain during period of growth, leading to body weight less than 85% of that expected).
B. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, even though underweight.
C. Disturbance in the way in which one's body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape on self-evaluation, or denial of the seriousness of the current low body weight.
D. In postmenarcheal females, amenorrhea, i.e., the absence of at least three consecutive menstrual cycles.