Bulimia Nervosa: (binge-purge) is a life threatening eating disorder characterized by bingeing and purging.  Symptoms include: repeated episodes of bingeing and purging; eating beyond the point of fullness and feeling out of control during a binge;  purging after a binge (by means of self-induced vomiting, excessive use of diuretics and laxatives, fasting, diet pills, and/or excessive exercising); frequent dieting; and extreme concern with body weight and shape.  As opposed to anorexia nervosa, a bulimic usually maintains a normal body weight with only a slight fluctuation. The individual will feel completely out of control and abnormal, and conger up feelings of depression, shame and self-deprecation.  The bulimic cycle becomes habitual and highly addictive. 

1. Recurrent episodes of binge eating characterized by BOTH of the following:

• Eating in a discrete amount of time (within a 2 hour period), an amount that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar time period.
• Sense of lack of control over eating during an episode.

2. Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior in order to prevent weight gain (self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, starvation, or compulsive exercising).

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.

• Binging and Purging
• Secretive Eating: Missing Food
• Visits to the bathroom after meals
• Feelings of guilt after eating
• Severe self-criticism
• Weight fluctuations (10-20 lbs.)
• Discoloration and/or tooth decay
• High levels of anxiety and/or depression
• Poor self-esteem
• Preoccupation with food
• Swollen, parotid glands in the neck and puffiness in cheeks
• Excessive and compulsive exercise regimes - despite fatigue, illness, or injury
• Abuse of laxatives, diet pills, ipecac, and/or diuretics
• Constant sore throat
• Feels like he/she has no control over food
• Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting
• Broken blood vessels in eyes
• Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
• Decreased impulse control - i.e. drugs, alcohol, spending, mood, etc.