Learn More About Bulemia

Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:

• eating, in a discrete period of time (for example, within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances
• a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (for example, a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)

The binge-eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:

• eating much more rapidly than normal
• eating until feeling uncomfortably full
• eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
• eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
• feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterwards

Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.

The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months.

The binge eating is not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behavior (for example, purging) and does not occur exclusively during the course Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

There are two key features to identifying bulimia – binge eating, and purging. Binge eating is the intake of a very large quantity of food in a short period of time. Purging is getting rid of the food just eaten by forcing the body to vomit.

Bulimia sufferers cannot control the binge eating or the purging and are very upset about the binging most of the time. Bulimics are often obsessed with food and body image, and very often attempt to control themselves, their environment, and their eating, in order to relieve anxiety or distress.

Contrary to popular belief, binging and purging does not qualify as bulimic if body weight is below 85% of the normal body weight. In this case, it would be called anorexia nervosa – binging and purging type. To qualify as bulimia nervosa, body weight must be at or above 86% of the normal body weight for their height.

The exact cause of bulemia is not known, however there are some major risk factors including:

• Having an anxiety disorder
• Poor self image
• Low self esteem
• Being bullied or teased about your weight as a child
• Using control as a way to cope with life stress

• Psychotherapy
• Medication from your primary care physician can help to control symptoms of anorexia but are not considered a cure.
• For best results, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is recommended.
• Self Help (Try Our Self Help Program)
• Working with Our Coaches