In which condition does a person experience a psychological urge to eat followed by compensatory behaviors?

The condition characterized by a psychological urge to eat followed by compensatory behaviors is bulimia. Individuals with bulimia nervosa often engage in episodes of binge eating, where they consume large quantities of food in a short period, followed by methods to prevent weight gain, such as vomiting, excessive exercise, or the use of laxatives.

Although bulimarexia might sound relevant, it is not officially recognized as a distinct diagnosis in the DSM-5; rather, it describes a combination of bulimia and anorexia tendencies, which may include binge eating but is primarily associated with significantly low body weight and restrictive eating patterns typical of anorexia.

Therefore, bulimia is the most accurate choice as it specifically highlights the cycle of overconsumption followed by compensatory actions, and it is acknowledged in clinical practice and research. This distinction is crucial in understanding these eating disorders and their implications for mental and physical health.