Bulimia nervosa is a psychological condition which affects up to two percent of high school aged girls; however, there are a much larger number of adolescents who exhibit symptoms of bulimia nervosa (Kidshealth.org). Bulimia nervosa usually has a high comorbidity rate, meaning it usually occurs concurrently with other disorders. Research has shown that bulimia nervosa is more common in adolescents who: have poor relationships with their parents, participate in premature sex, are depressed, and who have low self-esteem (Santrock, 2008).
Bulimia nervosa has several diagnostic criteria. Bulimia nervosa is often described as binging and purging, because these are the main diagnostic criteria; however, some people with bulimia nervosa have the nonpurging type in which they either abstain from eating or they engage in an extreme amount of exercising (Halgin & Whitbourne, 2007). To be diagnosed with bulimia, a person must binge eat on multiple occasions, during which s/he cannot control her/his eating, and s/he eats much more than the average person over the course of a two hour period (Halgin & Whitbourne, 2007). Also, s/he must try to compensate for binging by vomiting, abstaining from eating, engaging in an extreme amount of exercise, using laxatives, using diuretics, or using enemas (Halgin & Whitbourne, 2007). Additionally, the binging and purging must take place a minimum of two times per week over the course of three months (Halgin & Whitbourne, 2007). Finally, the person must base her/his self-esteem too heavily on her/his weight and body shape (Halgin & Whitbourne, 2007).

Our Mission

This website was designed as a tool to help people who believe they may have bulimia and people who know somebody whom they believe has bulimia.