Bulimia nervosa, severe

This code signifies a severe form of bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors (e.g., self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, excessive exercise) to prevent weight gain. The severity specifier "severe" indicates a high frequency of compensatory behaviors, typically 8-13 episodes per week.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa with a frequency of inappropriate compensatory behaviors meeting the criteria for severe. This typically requires a clinician's assessment and explicit statement of severity based on DSM-5 criteria or similar clinical guidelines.

• Ensure the medical record explicitly states "severe" bulimia nervosa, or provides sufficient detail (e.g., 8-13 compensatory episodes per week) to support this severity level.
• Differentiate from F50.21 (Bulimia nervosa, mild), F50.22 (Bulimia nervosa, moderate), and F50.24 (Bulimia nervosa, extreme) based on the documented frequency of compensatory behaviors.
• Code any associated medical complications (e.g., electrolyte imbalances, dental erosion) separately.