Chart 2. Diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa⁽²⁾ .

DSM-IV – Bulimia nervosa criteria

–Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following: –Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances –A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating) –Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behaviour in order to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications; fasting, or excessive exercise –Binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviours occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months –Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight –The disorder does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa –DSM-IV: bulimia nervosa –Types Purging type: regular self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, or other medications Non-purging type: exercise and fasting to compensate

DSM IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV.