Purging Disorder
Regular use of vomiting, laxatives, or other compensatory behaviors to control weight, without the binge eating that defines bulimia.
What it is
Purging Disorder involves regular self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic misuse, or other compensatory behavior used to control weight or shape — without the binge eating episodes that define bulimia. Someone with purging disorder purges after eating a typical or even small amount of food.
Signs & symptoms
Behavioral
- Regular purging not preceded by a binge episode
- Self-induced vomiting after normal-sized or small meals
- Laxative or diuretic misuse
- Preoccupation with weight and shape
Physical
- Electrolyte imbalance (fatigue, irregular heartbeat)
- Dental erosion
- Esophageal irritation
- Swelling around the jaw or cheeks
Causes & risk factors
Similar risk factors to bulimia — body image pressure, anxiety-proneness, and often co-occurring mood or anxiety disorders. It’s currently classified diagnostically under OSFED rather than having its own standalone DSM-5 listing.
Related conditions
Purging disorder is most often compared with bulimia, since the purging behavior itself looks identical from the outside.
Treatment
Treatment follows a similar path to bulimia — therapy alongside medical monitoring, since purging carries real physical risk independent of what precedes it. See our full guide to levels of care for how the right starting point is determined.
When to seek help
Regular purging of any kind warrants medical attention because of the physical risk involved — the electrolyte imbalance it can cause is a real cardiac risk, not just a digestive issue.