Light

Purging

Definition

Purging refers to engaging in behaviors such as vomiting or misuse of laxatives to rid the body of food in an unhealthy way.

Analogy

Imagine trying to un-bake a cake by taking out all the ingredients after it's already been made - not only is it impossible, but it also ruins the cake. Similarly, purging attempts to undo eating by getting rid of food that has already been consumed which can lead to serious health problems.

Related terms

Bulimia Nervosa: This is an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge-eating followed by inappropriate methods of weight control like purging. It’s like going on a shopping spree and then immediately returning everything you bought.

Anorexia Nervosa: An extreme fear of gaining weight leading to self-starvation and excessive thinness. It’s like refusing to put gas into your car for fear that it might become too heavy.

Binge Eating Disorder: This involves regularly eating large portions of food all at once until feeling uncomfortably full, often done secretly without others knowing about these binges. It's akin to filling up your car with gas even when the tank is already full causing overflow.