Bulimia nervosa is a disorder that involves eating large amounts of food and then getting rid of it by vomiting or through the use of laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills.
Some bulimics also purge after a binge by fasting for days or by exercising for hours.
Like anorexia, bulimia often begins with a diet. But the dieter soon feels deprived and panicky. Bingeing is usually followed by desperate attempts to get rid of the food just eaten, but purging leaves the teen with bulimia still hungry. This becomes a routine that is hard to interrupt. At first, overeating and then purging seems like a perfect way to satisfy food cravings without paying the price.