Bulimia: a report of 34 cases.

A series of 34 patients with Bulimia is presented. The patients were young females who usually experienced the onset of eating problems by early adulthood. Most had binge eating episodes on a daily basis, frequently followed by vomiting. Although the majority had never had active anorexia nervosa, all of these patients demonstrated characteristics often described in anorectic patients including a preoccupation with food and an exaggerated fear of becoming obese. Many appeared to be clinically depressed. The association between stealing behavior, chemical abuse and bulimia suggests problems with impulse control in this population.