There are several criteria that need to be met in order to have a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, including eating a large amount of food in less than two hours and excessive concern about body weight and shape.

In addition to symptoms, those suffering from bulimia nervosa also have accompanying feelings of distress, remorse, and self-loathing.

Those with bulimia nervosa (BN) often struggle with negative perceptions about their body shape, size, and weight. To attempt to prevent weight gain, they might abuse medications, a type of compensatory behavior. Medications misused by people with bulimia nervosa include diet pills, laxatives, diuretics, emetics, and enemas.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a complex eating disorder affecting millions of people of all genders in the United States. (1) The causes of bulimia nervosa can range from person to person, and include multiple factors. Some individuals are more heavily influenced by environmental factors and genetics, while others develop bulimia nervosa due to mental health conditions or their relationship to exercise and dieting.

Bulimia nervosa is a serious disease that can affect every area of a person’s life. In the United States alone, approximately 30 million people have diagnosable eating disorders, and 1.5% of American women have bulimia. (1)