Which of the following is NOT a symptom of anorexia nervosa?

• A. Distorted perception of body shape or weight
• B. Episodes of excessive overeating followed by purging
• C. Significantly low body weight due to restricted food intake
• D. Intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core symptoms of anorexia nervosa, which typically include a significantly low body weight due to restricted food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat, and a distorted perception of body shape or weight.
2. Step 2: Recognize that anorexia nervosa primarily involves food restriction and weight loss behaviors rather than episodes of excessive overeating.
3. Step 3: Identify that episodes of excessive overeating followed by purging are characteristic of another eating disorder called bulimia nervosa, not anorexia nervosa.
4. Step 4: Compare each option to the known symptoms of anorexia nervosa to determine which one does not fit the diagnostic criteria.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the symptom 'Episodes of excessive overeating followed by purging' is NOT a symptom of anorexia nervosa.