Bulimia Diagnosis Requires 4 Factors

Bulimia Diagnosis Requires 4 Factors Eating Disorders Diagnosis Print Bulimia Diagnosis Requires 4 Factors By Susan Cowden, MS facebook linkedin Susan Cowden is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders. Learn about our editorial policy Susan Cowden, MS Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on June 23, 2019 Zero Creatives / Getty Images More in Eating Disorders Diagnosis Symptoms Treatment Awareness and Prevention Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder in which the person repeatedly eats too much and then takes drastic steps to compensate for that binge eating. When many people think of bulimia, they think of bingeing and purging behaviorâ€"eating too much and then intentionally throwing up. But someone doesnt have to force themselves to repeatedly throw up in order to be diagnosed with bulimia. Bulimia primarily affects adolescent girls and young adult women. Heres what clinicians look for when diagnosing bulimia nervosa. Criteria Needed A person must meet all of the following criteria in order to be diagnosed with bulimia nervosa:Repeated episodes of binge eating, defined as eating an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during the same amount of time. The person also must feel as though they have lost control over eating and are unable to stop themselves or control how much they are eating.Use of inappropriate behaviors (also known as compensatory behaviors) to avoid weight gain or to compensate for the binge eating. These include self-induced vomiting (likely the best-known of bulimia behaviors), the misuse of laxatives, diuretics and/or enemas, and excessive exercise.Both the binge eating and compensatory behaviors occur at least once a week for three months.The persons weight and/or body shape must have a significant impact on the way the person views himself or herself. These four requirements come from the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, (DSM-V), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. The DSM-V provides physicians and mental-health professionals with the criteria for diagnosing specific mental disorders, including bulimia nervosa. Other Signs   People suffering from bulimia may not be thinâ€"in fact, unlike those suffering from anorexia nervosa, theyre likely to be at a normal weight. Some may even be a bit overweight. They may feel intense shame at their bulimic behavior, and likely will try to hide it (in some cases, skillfully enough that few people would suspect a problem). Bulimia may lead to additional symptoms over time, such as a constant sore throat or swollen salivary glands, bad teeth, and dehydration. These can result from repeated vomiting. Severe bulimia can cause a heart attack when essential minerals, such as calcium and sodium, become unbalanced due to the bingeing and purging cycles. Symptoms and Warning Signs of Bulimia As many as 2% to 3% of women may suffer from bulimia in the United States, and in some vulnerable populations (college-aged women, specifically), experts estimate up to 10% may meet the diagnostic criteria for bulimia. Men are affected, too, but at about one-tenth the rate of women. Young women may be especially prone to bulimia if they suffered from childhood sexual abuse, if they eat alone, if they live in a sorority house, or if they have low self-esteem. Involvement in athletics or employment in a job that focuses on weight (like modeling or acting) can predispose someone to bulimia. Gay men also have a high rate of bulimia. If you or someone you know is suffering from some or all of the above criteria it is important to see a physician, dietitian, or mental health professional for an assessment. Bulimia Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctors appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF A Word From Verywell If you dont already see a healthcare professional who specializes in eating disorders, you can always speak to your primary care physician. The key step here is to get the discussion started (whether between you and your doctor or your loved one and his/her doctor). Since eating disorders often go unrecognized or unnoticed, those who suffer from them can find it difficult to reach out for help or return to their normal behaviors. Know that there are optionsâ€"your eating disorder does not need to control you forever. Bulimia and Your Teeth