An eating disorder is to eat, or avoid eating, which negatively affects both one’s physical and mental health. Eating disorders are all encompassing. They affect every part of the person’s life. According to the authors of Surviving an Eating Disorder, “feelings about work, school, relationships, day-to-day activities and one’s experience of emotional well being are determined by what has or has not been eaten or by a number on a scale.”Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most common eating disorders generally recognized by medical classification schemes, with a significant diagnostic overlap between the two. Together, they affect an estimated 5-7% of females in the United States during their lifetimes. There is a third type of eating disorder - Binge Eating Disorder.

Binge eating disorder is characterized by consuming large quantities of food in a very short period of time until the individual is uncomfortably full. Binge eating disorder is much like bulimia except the individuals do not use any form of purging (i.e. vomiting, laxatives, fasting, etc.) following a binge. Individuals usually feel out of control during a binge episode, followed by feelings of guilt and shame. Many individuals who suffer with binge eating disorder use food as a way to cope with or block out feelings and emotions they do not want to feel. Individuals can also use food as a way to numb themselves, to cope with daily life stressors, to provide comfort to themselves or fill a void they feel within. Like all eating disorders, binge eating is a serious problem but can be overcome through proper treatment.

Signs and Symptoms

* weight gain
* feeling out of control over eating
* low self-esteem
* depression
* anxiety
* experiences fluctuations in weight
* loss of sexual desire
* hiding food
* feelings of guilt and shame
* disgusted with self
* going on many different diets
* belief that life will be better if they lose weight
* secretive eating patterns
* avoidance of social situations where food will be present
* suicidal thoughts

Physical/Medical Complications

* obesity
* menstrual irregularities
* diabetes
* high blood pressure
* high cholestrol
* osteoarthritis
* decreased mobility
* shortness of breath
* heart disease
* liver and kidney problems
* cardiac arrest and/or death

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