Bulimia nervosa is a condition that is characterized by bingeing food, then purging that food due to a fear of gaining weight.  When bingeing, people with bulimia will eat large amounts of food in a very short amount of time. Purging can include vomiting, the use of laxatives or diuretics, and excessive exercise.

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People with bulimia often engage in a cycle of strict dieting, intense hunger, binge eating, shame, and disgust, purging to avoid weight gain, and then return to a strict diet as a result of body dissatisfaction. Characteristics of someone with bulimia nervosa include disordered perception of weight or shape, unusually obsessive eating behaviors, depression, anxiety, and isolation from peers or family. People with bulimia may schedule their days around binging and purging episodes.

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Bulimia nervosa is a vicious cycle of guilt and low self-worth, and early intervention is an important predictor of long-term treatment outcomes.