Bulimia

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
  • Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances.
  • A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
• Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting; misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting; or excessive exercise.
• The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months.
• Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
• The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of Anorexia Nervosa.

Specific Types

Purging Type: during the current episode of Bulimia Nervosa, the person has regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas.

Nonpurging Type: during the current episode of Bulimia Nervosa, the person has used other inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise, but has not regularly engaged in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas

Associated Features

• Depressed Mood
• Somatic/Sexual Dysfunction
• Addiction
• Dramatic/Erratic/Antisocial Personality
• Severely underweight model
• Excessive concern about weight and shape
• Large amounts of food are consumed with little weight gain
• Bingeing followed by feelings of fear, guilt, and depressed mood
• Food disappears from fridge and cupboards
• Frequently spends time in washrooms after meals to purge
• Chronic sore throat
• Evidence of vomiting or laxative abuse, or excessive exercising