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- b. nervosa a chronic morbid disorder involving repeated and secretive episodic bouts of eating characterized by uncontrolled rapid ingestion of large quantities of food over a short period of time (binge eating), followed by self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics, fasting, or vigorous exercise in order to prevent weight gain; often accompanied by feelings of guilt, depression, or self-disgust. SYN: boulimia, b., hyperorexia.
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2) a serious eating disorder that occurs chiefly in females, is characterized by compulsive overeating usu. followed by self-induced vomiting or laxative or diuretic abuse, and is often accompanied by guilt and depression
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n.
insatiable overeating. This symptom may be psychogenic, occurring, for example, as a phase of anorexia nervosa (bulimia nervosa or the binge-purge syndrome); or it may be due to neurological causes, such as a lesion of the hypothalamus.
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bu·lim·ia (boo-leґme-ə) [L., from Gr. bous ox + limos hunger] episodic binge eating usually followed by behavior designed to negate the excessive caloric intake, most commonly purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse but sometimes other methods such as excessive exercise or fasting. While it is usually associated with b. nervosa, it may also occur in other disorders, such as anorexia nervosa. bulimic adjMedical dictionary. 2011.