---
title: "Bulimia Nervosa — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder with binge-purge cycles. Learn how AP Psych tests it in Topic 8.6 and how to tell it apart from anorexia and BED."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/bulimia-nervosa"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Bulimia Nervosa — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

An eating disorder marked by cycles of overeating followed by unhealthy behaviors such as vomiting or using laxatives to rid the body of food.

## Related Study Guides

- [Unit 8 Overview: Clinical Psychology](/ap-psych-revised/unit-H4RhjYOHdoqh7GF7/review/study-guide/5rDoqmdS9JIQ38pWYk3J)
- [8.6 Feeding and Eating, Substance and Addictive, and Personality Disorders](/ap-psych-revised/unit-8/feeding-eating-substance-addictive-personality-disorders/study-guide/F1YAHawNDa64RREGpMcA)

## Review

### Related Terms

- Purge Behavior: Actions taken in order to rid oneself of calories following consumption; these may include vomiting, fasting, exercising excessively, or misuse of laxatives/diuretics.
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Characterized by regular episodes of extreme overeating and feelings of loss of control about eating.
- [Compulsive Overeating](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/compulsive-overeating): Uncontrollable eating beyond the point needed for normal hunger satisfaction into excess.