Bulimia Nervosa

Criteria for Diagnosing Bulimia Nervosa

• Repeated episodes of binge eating with an associated sense of loss of control over eating during the episode.
• Repeated use of inappropriate behaviors to prevent weight gain or to reverse it, such as:
  • Self-induced vomiting
  • Misuse of laxatives, diet pills, or diuretics (water pills)
  • Fasting
  • Excessive exercise
• Both binge eating and inappropriate behaviors occur at least two times per week for at least three months.
• Self-esteem is overly influenced by weight or shape.
• Not meeting the criteria for anorexia nervosa.

Subtypes of Bulimia Nervosa

• Purging: engaging in self-induced vomiting or misusing diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics to compensate for the effects of binge eating
• Nonpurging: fasting or excessive exercise to compensate for the effects of binge eating