What is Bulimia Nervosa?
Bulimia typically involves frequent binge eating, followed by purging through self-induced vomiting and/or laxative and diuretic abuse. The amount of food consumed during a binge varies from person to person, and binge-purge episodes are usually kept secret. Bulimics are rarely overweight, though they think they're fat.

Bulimics are insecure, unsure of their own self-worth and tend to please others before themselves. They see food as the one comfort they have.

Like anorexics, bulimics cannot recognize their true body size and often feel too fat and ashamed over their lack of control when eating. Purging gives them a sense of being back in control, and a way to fix their "disgusting" behavior.

Because bulimics binge and purge in secret and maintain normal or above-normal body weight, they can often successfully hide their problem from others. Bulimics use the bathroom frequently after meals to vomit--often immediately after eating. They may take a lot of laxatives or diuretics.

Bulimics feel out of control while eating and may have mood swings since their bingeing and purging is often followed by feelings of shame and/or depression. Some bulimics may act these feelings out by shoplifting, being promiscuous or abusing alcohol, drugs and/or credit cards.

Like anorexia, bulimia can lead to death.