For sufferers, control over eating behaviour has become the highest priority.
Sufferers base their self-esteem mostly or solely on their weight, body shape, and eating behaviour.
On the outside, bulimics often appear normal. People with bulimia may eat normally with other people and are often within the normal weight range. They may appear to be coping with work, and may seem self-assured and successful. However, on the inside, bulimics are very unhappy and feel terrible about themselves. Binge eating and purging is usually done in secret, and the sufferer may go through great lengths to hide their behaviour.