Bulimia Nervosa

ByEvelyn Attia, MD, Columbia University Medical Center;
B. Timothy Walsh, MD, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University
Reviewed/Revised Jul 2022
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Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by some form of inappropriate compensatory behavior such as purging (self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse), fasting, or driven exercise; episodes occur, on average, at least once/week for 3 months. Diagnosis is based on history and examination. Treatment is with psychologic therapy and antidepressants.

(See also Introduction to Eating Disorders.)

The lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa is about 0.5% of women and 0.1% of men (1). Those affected are persistently and overly concerned about body shape and weight. Unlike patients with anorexia nervosa, those with bulimia nervosa are of normal or above-normal weight.

General reference

  1. 1. Udo T, Grilo CM: Prevalence and correlates of DSM-5–defined eating disorders in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Biol Psychiatry 1;84(5):345-354, 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.03.014.

Pathophysiology of Bulimia Nervosa

Serious fluid and electrolyte disturbances, especially hypokalemia, occur occasionally. Extremely rarely, the stomach ruptures or the esophagus is torn during a binge or purge episode, leading to life-threatening complications.

Symptoms and Signs of Bulimia Nervosa

Patients with bulimia nervosa typically describe binge-purge behavior. Binges involve rapid consumption of an amount of food definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances (however, the amount considered excessive for a normal meal versus a holiday meal may differ) accompanied by feelings of loss of control.

Patients tend to consume sweet, high-fat foods (eg, ice cream, cake) during binge episodes. The amount of food consumed in a binge varies, sometimes involving thousands of calories. Binges tend to be episodic, are often triggered by psychosocial stress, may occur as often as several times a day, and are usually carried out in secret.

Binge eating is followed by compensatory behaviors: self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, excessive exercise, and/or fasting.

Patients are typically of normal weight; only a minority are have excess weight or obesity. However, patients are excessively concerned about their body weight and/or shape; they are often dissatisfied with their bodies and think that they need to lose weight.

Patients with bulimia nervosa tend to be more aware of and remorseful or guilty about their behaviors than those with anorexia nervosa and are more likely to acknowledge their concerns when questioned by a sympathetic clinician. They are also less socially isolated and more prone to impulsive behavior, drug and alcohol abuse, and overt depression. Depression, anxiety (eg, concerning weight and/or social situations) and anxiety disorders are common among these patients.

Complications

Most physical symptoms and complications of bulimia nervosa result from purging. Self-induced vomiting may lead to erosion of dental enamel of the front teeth, painless parotid (salivary) gland enlargement, and an inflamed esophagus. Physical signs include

  • Swollen parotid glands

  • Scars on the back of the hand (from repeatedly inducing vomiting by using fingers to trigger gag reflex)

  • Dental erosion

Diagnosis of Bulimia Nervosa

  • Clinical criteria

Clinical criteria (1) for diagnosis of bulimia nervosa include the following:

  • Recurrent episodes of binge eating (the uncontrolled consumption of unusually large amounts of food) that are accompanied by feelings of loss of control over eating and that occur, on average, at least once a week for 3 months

  • Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior to influence body weight (on average, at least once a week for 3 months)

  • Self-evaluation that is unduly influenced by body shape and weight concerns

Diagnosis reference

  1. 1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Text Revision, DSM-5-TRTM, Feeding and eating disorders.

Treatment of Bulimia Nervosa

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy

  • Interpersonal psychotherapy

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the treatment of choice for bulimia nervosa. Therapy usually involves 16 to 20 individual sessions over 4 to 5 months, although it can also be done as group therapy. Treatment aims to

  • Increase motivation for change

  • Replace dysfunctional eating with a regular and flexible pattern

  • Decrease undue concern with body shape and weight

  • Prevent relapse

Cognitive behavioral therapy eliminates binge eating and purging in about 30 to 50% of patients. Many others show improvement; some drop out of treatment or do not respond. Improvement is usually well-maintained over the long-term.

In interpersonal psychotherapy, the emphasis is on helping patients identify and alter current interpersonal problems that may be maintaining the eating disorder. The treatment is both nondirective and noninterpretive and does not focus directly on eating disorder symptoms. Interpersonal psychotherapy can be considered an alternative when cognitive behavioral therapy is unavailable.

SSRIs

Key Points

  • Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behavior such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, or excessive exercise.

  • Unlike patients with anorexia nervosa, patients rarely lose much weight or develop nutritional deficiencies.

  • Recurrent self-induced vomiting may erode dental enamel and/or cause esophagitis.

  • Serious fluid and electrolyte disturbances, especially hypokalemia, occur occasionally.

  • Rupture of the esophagus or stomach or cardiomyopathy are rare complications.

  • Treat with cognitive behavioral therapy and sometimes an SSRI.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article
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