Bulimia nervosa is a serious eating disorder, in which people binge eat, and later purge - either by vomiting, laxatives, excessive exercise, or other behavior designed to offset the impact of the food.
People with bulimia usually weigh within the normal range for their age and height. However, like anorexics, bulimics are usually afraid of gaining weight, want to lose weight, and feel intensely dissatisfied with their bodies.
People with bulimia usually perform the behaviors (both binge eating, and purging) secretly. Bulimics typically describe feeling disgusted and ashamed when they binge, yet relieved once they purge.
An estimated 1.1 percent to 4.2 percent of females have bulimia nervosa in their lifetime.
Symptoms of Bulimia Nervosa
Symptoms of bulimia nervosa include:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating, characterized by eating an excessive amount of food in a short amount of time, and a feeling of lack of control over eating during the binging episode
- Repeated behavior to compensate for the binging and prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications (purging), fasting, or excessive exercise
- Binging and purging, on average, at least 2 times a week for 3 months or more
- Self-image is unduly dependent on body shape and weight
Find out more about the specific types of eating disorders now:
- What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge-Eating Disorder
- Treatment Strategies
- Research Findings and Directions
- More Help With Eating Disorders
- Eating Disorder References
Source: National Institute of Mental Health. Eating Disorders: Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for Solutions. 2006[/]
