Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurring periods of binge eating, during which large amounts of food are consumed in a short period of time -- sometimes as many as 20,000 calories during the course of a single binge. The bulimic is aware that his or her eating is out of control. He or she is fearful of not being able to stop eating, and is afraid of being fat. The bulimic usually feels depressed and guilty after a binge. Frequently, the binges are followed by purging, through self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives and/or diuretics, or periods of fasting. The bulimic's weight is usually in a normal or somewhat above normal range; it may fluctuate more than 10 pounds due to alternating binges and fasts.
DSM-IV Technical Criteria for Bulimia
1-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 similar circumstances
- a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g. a feeling the tone cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
2- 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.
3- The binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for three months.
4- Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
5- The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa.
Types of Bulimia
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.
Non Purging 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.