Bulimia: Purging Food

Bulimia is an eating disorder that displays a pattern and cycle of binge eating followed by purging to try and rid the body of unwanted calories. Bulimia and the act of binging are different for all individuals. For one individual, binging (eating lots of food at one time) may range from 1000 to 10000 calories. For other bulimics, one cracker may be considered a binge.

Bulimics purge their food.  This act often involves vomiting and laxative abuse. Other forms of purging can involve excessive exercise, fasting, use of diuretics, diet pills and enemas.

Similar to individual with anorexia, bulimics are individuals who do not feel secure about themselves. They usually seek the approval of others and they tend to do whatever they need to to please others. Food is the source of their comfort. This eating disorder serves as a method for blocking out feelings. Unlike anorexics, bulimics often realize they have a problem. The bulimics body weight and visual appearance may not be as visible as an anorexic.