Bulimia is treated most successfully when diagnosed early. But because the bulimic may deny there is a problem, getting medical help is often delayed. A complete physical examination in order to rule out other illnesses is the first step toward diagnosis.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, a diagnosis of bulimia requires that a person have all of the following symptoms: -- recurrent episodes of binge eating (minimum average of two binge-eating episodes a week for at least three months)-- a feeling of lack of control over eating during the binges-- regular use of one or more of the following to prevent weight gain: self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, strict dieting or fasting -- persistent over-concern with body shape and weight