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Bulimia Nervosa

UPMC Content 3

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

Need Help?

If you think you have an eating disorder, get help today. Learn more about treatment at the UPMC Center for Eating Disorders.

Contact Us

To make an inpatient referral or for questions regarding a hospital admission, please call 412-624-1000.

To refer to any outpatient levels of care, please provide your email address to receive a link to our patient intake form.

For general questions regarding any outpatient levels of care, please call 412-246-6390.

UPMC Center for Eating Disorders
3811 O'Hara St.
Eighth floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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Pittsburgh, PA 15213