Eating and sleep disorders: anorexia binge-purge subtype versus bulimia: 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 and sleep disorders: anorexia binge-purge subtype versus bulimia

Sample item

A 20-year-old woman has a BMI of 15.5 and intense fear of weight gain. She has recurrent binge episodes followed by vomiting and laxative use. Which diagnosis is correct?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging type

When binge-purge behaviour occurs in a person whose weight is significantly low, the diagnosis is anorexia nervosa of the binge-eating/purging type. Bulimia nervosa requires that criteria for anorexia are not met, which usually means a weight in or above the normal range.

Option by option

  • A. Binge-eating disorder

    Binge-eating disorder has no regular compensatory behaviour, whereas she vomits and uses laxatives.

  • B. Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder

    Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder lacks fear of weight gain and body-image disturbance.

  • C. Anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging type (correct)

    Correct. Binge-purge behaviour with significantly low weight is anorexia nervosa of the binge-purge type.

  • D. Bulimia nervosa

    Bulimia nervosa is excluded when the weight is significantly low and anorexia criteria are met.

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 C, Anorexia nervosa, binge-eating/purging type. When binge-purge behaviour occurs in a person whose weight is significantly low, the diagnosis is anorexia nervosa of the binge-eating/purging type.

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

Binge-eating disorder has no regular compensatory behaviour, whereas she vomits and uses laxatives.

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

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder lacks fear of weight gain and body-image disturbance.

Why is "Bulimia nervosa" not the answer?

Bulimia nervosa is excluded when the weight is significantly low and anorexia criteria are met.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Eating and sleep disorders: anorexia binge-purge subtype versus bulimia in Psychiatry. Bulimia nervosa requires that criteria for anorexia are not met, which usually means a weight in or above the normal range.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 and sleep disorders: anorexia binge-purge subtype versus bulimia?

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.