Madeline comes home from school each day and eats a half gallon of ice cream and a dozen donuts and then purges the food through vomiting. Then she does not eat at all until the next afternoon, when she repeats this ritual. Despite her normal weight, Madeline is likely suffering from ____.
A) anorexia nervosa
B) bulimia nervosa
C) purging
D) anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Madeline is displaying symptoms of bulimia nervosa, which is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge-eating followed by purging through vomiting or other methods, as well as a preoccupation with weight and body shape. While anorexia nervosa involves restriction of food intake and a fear of gaining weight, Madeline is consuming large amounts of food during her binges. The answer is not C, as purging by itself is not a disorder and can occur in individuals with both anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The answer is also not D, as Madeline's behaviors are more consistent with bulimia nervosa than anorexia nervosa.

Madeline Comes Home from School Each Day and Eats a Half