Eating disorders: bulimia nervosa: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Eating disorders: bulimia nervosa

Sample item

A patient of average body weight has recurrent binge-eating episodes followed by self-induced vomiting at least weekly for several months. Self-evaluation is excessively influenced by body shape. Which diagnosis fits best?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent binge eating with recurrent compensatory behaviors and overvaluation of weight or shape. Unlike binge-eating disorder, compensatory behavior is present.

Option by option

  • A. Bulimia nervosa (correct)

    Correct. Binge-purge behavior with shape/weight overvaluation is diagnostic.

  • B. Binge-eating disorder

    Binge-eating disorder lacks regular compensatory behavior.

  • C. Anorexia nervosa, restricting type

    Anorexia nervosa requires significantly low body weight with fear of weight gain or persistent behavior preventing weight gain.

  • D. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder

    ARFID restriction is not driven by body-shape concerns.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is A, Bulimia nervosa. Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent binge eating with recurrent compensatory behaviors and overvaluation of weight or shape.

Why is "Binge-eating disorder" not the answer?

Binge-eating disorder lacks regular compensatory behavior.

Why is "Anorexia nervosa, restricting type" not the answer?

Anorexia nervosa requires significantly low body weight with fear of weight gain or persistent behavior preventing weight gain.

Why is "Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder" not the answer?

ARFID restriction is not driven by body-shape concerns.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating disorders: bulimia nervosa in Psychiatry. Unlike binge-eating disorder, compensatory behavior is present.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Eating disorders: bulimia nervosa?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.