Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by:

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by recurrent episodes of binge eating — consuming large amounts of food in a short period — followed by compensatory purging behaviors intended to prevent weight gain. Purging may take the form of self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. This binge-purge cycle is the core diagnostic feature of bulimia nervosa, as described in the DSM-5. Willful starvation describes anorexia nervosa, a distinct eating disorder characterized by severe caloric restriction, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image, rather than bulimia. Excessive weight gain is not a defining characteristic of bulimia; many individuals with bulimia maintain a normal or near-normal body weight because the purging partially compensates for the caloric intake, which is one reason the disorder often goes undetected. A continued feeling of fullness is not a recognized diagnostic criterion for any eating disorder and would be more consistent with gastrointestinal pathology or another medical condition. Understanding the distinction between bulimia and anorexia nervosa is essential for nurses because the nursing care, risk profile — such as electrolyte imbalances from vomiting — and therapeutic approaches differ significantly between the two conditions.