Bulimia nervosa: the role of the family physician.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and purging. The disorder is estimated to occur in up to 5 percent of young women. Despite severe psychosocial impairment and potentially serious medical complications, patients do not usually reveal their bulimic behavior to a physician unless directly asked. Promising treatments include cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and antidepressant medications.