Binge Eating

Eating Disorder - Binge eating is an eating disorder characterized by the total lack of control with food intake. This means that the subject consumes excessive amounts of food in one sitting, often until he experiences physical discomfort.
Binge eaters are often overweight or obese and have a hard time losing weight although there are people who suffer from this condition who are able to maintain their normal weights. Binge eating is considered a psychiatric disorder but it is still unknown what causes it. Binge eaters are aware of the amount of food they eat, are often embarrassed about their eating habits and yet are unable to control their binge-eating episodes. They usually become depressed, feel guilty or disgusted after a binge-eating episode. Some binge eaters also suffer from Bulimia Nervosa.
Binge eating is as much a health risk as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Since binge eaters have no control over the amount and kinds of food they consume, often consuming too much of the unhealthy things, they are largely malnourished. Binge eaters have a high-risk of acquiring diabetes, heart diseases, and even certain cancers.
It is recommended that binge eaters consult with qualified medical professionals that can help them undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy, monitor personal binge eating triggers and modify eating habits.

Bulimia Nervosa Eating Disorder

Eating Disorder - For information about Bulimia Nervosa please see Anorexia Nervosa Eating Disorder.

Anorexia Nervosa Eating Disorder

Eating Disorder - Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder that is often associated with excessive weight loss and a distortion of the body image. People who suffer from Anorexia often feel they are overweight when in fact they are grossly underweight. The distorted body image results to an obsessive desire to be thin and relentless dieting and fitness regimens. More than a physiological disorder, Anorexia Nervosa involves psychological, neurobiological and sociological components.

People with Anorexia Nervosa often maintain less than 85% of their ideal body weight and are in a state of denial when it comes to the seriousness of their physical condition. They will claim the lack of hunger for their frail bodies and will continue to try to lose weight. Some people in really bad conditions will resist treatment and will continue to exercise excessively. Anorexia Nervosa, when untreated, may result to clinical depression and low self-esteem. Worse, the condition can lead to serious physical diseases due to the lack of essential nutrients the body needs to function properly and the deterioration of the internal organs brought about by malnutrition, exhaustion and physical abuse. Extreme cases have resulted in vital body systems shutting down leading to death.
Because people suffering from anorexia may be suffering from some form of psychological or neurobiological imbalance, more feeding does not cure the Anorectic. The client must undergo medical diagnosis to completely understand the factors that lead to the disease.