Because vomiting normally occurs only when someone is sick, and the upward flow of stomach acid causes painful irritation to the esophagus, it is easier for the bulimia sufferer to acknowledge that she has a problem and therefore accept treatment. On the other hand, dieting is something that society encourages and that is prevalent. Anorexics may simply feel that they have superior willpower, so they are loathe to admit that a problem exists.
但由於嘔吐是生病才會發生的行為，胃酸倒流灼傷食道的感覺更是痛苦，病患也清楚知道這點，因此較願意承認自己的困境並接受治療；反之節食卻是社會鼓勵而普遍存在的，患者只覺得自己節食毅力超強，卻不認為哪裡出了問題。