Bulimia Nervosa is primarily characterized by episodes of what?

Bulimia Nervosa is primarily characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors. This means that individuals with Bulimia Nervosa consume a large amount of food in a short period, often feeling a loss of control during these episodes. Following the binges, they engage in behaviors intended to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting, the use of laxatives, diuretics, fasting, or excessive exercise. This cycle of binging and compensatory behavior is a hallmark feature of the disorder and reflects the intense preoccupation with body image and weight that individuals with Bulimia Nervosa experience.

The other options describe behaviors or conditions that do not align with the core features of Bulimia Nervosa. For instance, persistent eating of non-nutritive substances is associated with Pica, while compulsive exercising and strict dieting may be more indicative of other eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa or certain behaviors co-occurring with Bulimia, but do not define it. Significant nutritional deficiency without purging does not fit the diagnostic criteria of Bulimia Nervosa, which specifically includes compensatory behaviors following binge episodes. Thus, the emphasis on binge eating followed by compensatory actions is what distinctly defines Bulimia Nervosa within the DSM