Bingeing and purging behaviors must occur for a minimum average of 2 episodes a week for at least 3 months before a diagnosis of bulimia can be made. The person also exhibits an over concern with weight and body shape. Medical complications of bulimia include blood chemistry imbalances, trauma to the gastrointestinal tract, and dental cavities from prolonged vomiting. Women with bulimia often feel deprived and dependent. The patient may experience emotional hunger as physical hunger.
Control is very important to people with eating disorders.
Binge eating is like bulimia, but does not include purging behaviors. A diagnosis of binge-eating disorder is made when a person binges an average of two days per week over a six month period. Keeping a food diary is beneficial in identifying the feelings that trigger binge eating as well as what kinds of foods are consumed during a binge. Strategies can then be developed to reduce the urge to binge. True eating disorders can be life-threatening.