Criteria:
(1) Recurrent episodes of binge eating.
(2) Recurrent inappropriate compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain, which may be further classified as purging or nonpurging (see below).
(3) Binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors both occur, on average, at least twice a week for 3 months.
(4) Self-evaluation is unduly influenced by body shape and weight.
(5) The disturbance does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa.
Binge eating may involve one or both of the following:
(1) eating in a discrete period of time (a few hours) an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances
(2) a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode. This may involve a feeling of an inability to stop eating or to control how much is being consumed.
Subtypes
(1) purging type: regularly engages in self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics or enemas
(2) nonpurging type: regularly engages in inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise
Complications:
(1) menstrual irregularities
(2) gastrointestinal abnormalities, especially in the esophagus
(3) aspiration pneumonia
(4) adverse effects related to diuretic or purgative agent
