Symptoms of Bulimia: Binges usually occur in private; people may be home alone and raid the fridge and cupboards for food.  Some people visit numerous fast food restaurants and eat a meal at each one.  When the binge period has finished they may head to the bathroom, hit the gym for hours of exercise, take laxatives or fast.  As the eating disorder advances some people are able to induce vomiting at will.  Individuals with bulimia tend to be of normal weight or overweight.   Bulimia is characterized by: An episode of binge eating is characterized by: Eating an amount of food that is definitely larger that what most people would eat in similar circumstances at a discrete period of time A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode    Inappropriate methods of weight control may include self-induced vomiting, fasting, enemas and excessive use of laxatives and diuretics or compulsive exercise.    The binge eating and the inappropriate weight controlling behaviors occur usually at least twice a week for 3 months   The individual is influenced by their body shape and weight   Bulimia does not occur exclusively during episodes of anorexia nervosa   There are two types of Bulimia:   Purging type During the periods of bulimia the individual has engaged in self-induced vomiting or misuses laxatives diuretics or enemas. Nonpurging type During the episodes of bulimia the person has used inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as fasting or excessive exercise, but has not self-induced vomiting or misused laxatives, diuretics or enemas.      Physical symptoms Erosion of tooth enamel due to repeated exposure to acidic gastric contents Dental cavities, sensitivity to hot or cold food Swelling and soreness in the salivary glands Stomach Ulcers Ruptures of the stomach and esophagus Abnormal build up of fluid in the intestines Disruption in the normal bowel release function Electrolyte imbalance Dehydration Irregular heartbeat and in severe cases heart attack Decrease in libido Bloating Dry skin Menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea (loss of menstruation) Fatigue Sores, scars or calluses on hands or knuckles   Emotional and behavioral symptoms Constant dieting Depression or anxiety Visiting the bathroom after or during meals Unhealthy view on body shape, weight and body view Loss of control of eating behavior Eat to the extent of discomfort Hoarding food