Which eating disorder is characterized by purging, use of laxatives, and mood swings?

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors such as purging, use of laxatives, or excessive exercise to prevent weight gain. Individuals with bulimia may experience significant mood swings related to their eating habits and body image, often oscillating between feelings of guilt or shame after bingeing and a sense of relief after purging.

The distinguishing features of bulimia include the cycle of binging and purging, which is not present in anorexia nervosa, where individuals typically refuse to maintain a healthy body weight and may not engage in purging behaviors. Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food without subsequent purging, and orthorexia involves an unhealthy obsession with eating foods that one considers healthy, rather than the cycle of binging and purging associated with bulimia. Thus, the correct answer captures the essential elements of bulimia nervosa that contribute to its classification as an eating disorder.