How is bulimia nervosa diagnosed?

How is bulimia nervosa diagnosed?

To diagnose bulimia nervosa, your healthcare provider will perform a physical examination. They’ll ask you about your medical history and symptoms. It’s OK to be nervous when talking with your healthcare provider. But they want to help you get better. So it’s important to be honest with your healthcare provider about your eating habits.

Your healthcare provider will diagnose bulimia nervosa if you meet the following criteria:

• Do you have repeated episodes of binge eating?
• Do you feel a lack of control over your eating during an episode?
• Do you engage in inappropriate purging behaviors?
• Have you experienced binge eating at least once a week for three months?
• Does your body weight or shape have a strong influence on your self-image?

There aren’t any laboratory tests to specifically diagnose bulimia. Your healthcare provider may order tests to see how bulimia has affected your health. These tests include:

• Blood test.
• Urinalysis.
• Kidney function test.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG).