The main symptoms of bulimia are overeating, followed by purging. A person with bulimia first eats an amount of food that he or she considers to be too much. This may range from one unplanned cookie to a 20,000-calorie meal. This is followed by purging.

Forms of purging include:

• Self-induced vomiting
• Laxative abuse
• Diuretic abuse
• Fasting
• Excessive exercise

Additional symptoms of bulimia may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Anxiety
• Depressed mood
• Parotid swelling

Additional characteristics of bulimia include:

• Food collection and hoarding
• Preoccupation with weight control
• Diabetic patients may withhold insulin
• Medication abuse:
• Diet pills
• Diuretics
• Laxatives
• Ipecac
• Thyroid medication
• Drug abuse
• Alcohol abuse
• Dental caries