Which of the following is among the criteria for diagnosing bulimia nervosa?

• A. Chronic feelings of sadness and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
• B. Persistent restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight
• C. Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise
• D. Delusions and hallucinations occurring for at least one month

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa as outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). Bulimia nervosa is characterized primarily by episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain.
2. Step 2: Identify the key features of bulimia nervosa, which include recurrent episodes of binge eating (consuming an excessive amount of food in a discrete period) and inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise.
3. Step 3: Differentiate bulimia nervosa from other disorders by noting that it does not primarily involve chronic feelings of sadness (which is more related to depression), nor persistent food restriction leading to low body weight (which is characteristic of anorexia nervosa), nor psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations (which are related to psychotic disorders).
4. Step 4: Recognize that the presence of recurrent binge eating episodes combined with inappropriate compensatory behaviors is the hallmark criterion for diagnosing bulimia nervosa.
5. Step 5: Conclude that among the options given, the correct diagnostic criterion for bulimia nervosa is 'Recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise.'