Which behavior is characteristic of bulimia nervosa?

• A. Binge eating followed by purging
• B. Restriction of intake
• C. Weight gain with no eating pattern
• D. Sleep disturbance

Answer: (A)

Bulimia nervosa is defined by a cycle of binge eating episodes in which a person feels a loss of control, followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain, most often self-induced vomiting but also other methods like laxatives, diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. This pattern—binge eating with purging—is the hallmark of the disorder and typically occurs on a weekly basis over several months, with individuals often maintaining a normal or near-normal weight. That combination distinguishes it from restriction-based eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, where the primary feature is severely limited intake leading to underweight. Choices that describe restriction, weight gain without a clear eating pattern, or unrelated symptoms like sleep disturbance do not fit bulimia as precisely.