Diagnosis

A diagnosis of bulimia is made when you are obsessed with weight and body image and have severe eating binges at least twice a week for three months, along with compensating behavior such as purging, exercise or excessive dieting.

To help in the diagnosis, your doctor will take a medical history and examine you to look for the physical signs of bulimia. Blood tests can tell the doctor whether vomiting or using diuretics or laxatives has caused you to be dehydrated or depleted of electrolytes or other significant nutrients.

Your provider will also explore whether you have any other mental disorders, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, or an anxiety or mood disorder.

Expected Duration

Bulimia can last for a short time or can continue for many years. About a quarter of individuals with bulimia get better without treatment. With treatment, more than half improve.

But even after successful treatment, bulimia can return. Many women continue to have some symptoms of an eating disorder. Estimates of frequency and severity vary widely.