Purging disorder

Purging disorder is an eating disorder, more specifically a form of other specified feeding or eating disorder. It is characterised by the DSM-5 as self-induced vomiting, or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to forcefully evacuate matter from the body. The lifetime prevalence (percentage of individuals in a population who have experienced the disorder at any point in their lives) of purging disorder has been estimated from 1.1% to 5.3%.

Purging disorder differs from bulimia nervosa (BN) because individuals do not consume a large amount of food (also called a binge) prior to purging.

Some of the signs of this disorder include trips to the bathroom directly after a meal, frequent use of laxatives, and obsession over one's appearance and weight. Other signs, all which are the result of excessive vomiting, consist of swollen cheeks, popped blood vessels in the eyes, and clear teeth.

Purging disorder is studied far less than other eating disorders hence little information is known about the risk factors, including the effect of gender, race, and class. However, as with most eating disorders, it disproportionately affects women, preoccupation with shape and weight puts this group at elevated risk for eating disorders, including this one. In one study of the risk factors for purging disorder, 77% of the participants who presented with symptoms of purging disorder were female.

It has been argued that purging disorder should be considered a distinct eating disorder, separate from bulimia nervosa.