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Patient Education: Diseases Conditions Treatments & Procedures

Eating Disorders

Bulimia

People with bulimia nervosa often live in a secret world of shame and self-disgust. With its episodes of overeating and furtive trips to the bathroom to vomit, bulimia involves behavior that's embarrassing and socially unacceptable.

Bulimia is a type of eating disorder in which people are preoccupied with their weight and shape, often judging themselves severely and harshly for perceived flaws.

People with bulimia experience episodes of bingeing and purging. During these episodes, they typically eat a large amount of food in a short period of time and then try to rid themselves of the extra calories in inappropriate ways, such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise. In between these binge-purge episodes, people with bulimia actually eat very little or often skip meals altogether.

In Western, industrialized countries, about 1 percent to 3 percent of women experience bulimia during their life. The rate of bulimia in men is about one-tenth of that in women.

Bulimia is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. Because it's so intimately entwined with self-image — it's not just about food — bulimia can be difficult to overcome. But treatment can help people with bulimia feel better about themselves and adopt healthier eating patterns.