Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia describes a pattern of eating that vacillates between binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short period of time) and compensatory behavior such as purging, abusing laxatives or over-exercising. A binge episode can be triggered by an emotional reaction to an external event or it can be a planned part of one’s daily routine. Additionally, feeling like one has already overeaten can compel an individual to continue to eat because of a plan to compensate through purging after the binge episode. Both binge episodes and compensatory behaviors can lead to feelings of guilt, self-disgust and loss of control. As with Anorexia, there is a preoccupation with body image and a belief that if one changes his or her relationship with food, it will lead to significant weight gain. Symptoms of Bulimia include:

• Eating a large amount of food in a short period of time (two hours or less)
• Feeling a loss of control while eating
• Purging after a binge episode
• Abusing laxatives or exercise to compensate for a binge episode
• Pre-occupation with body size