eating disorder is characterized by a destructive relationship with food, an inconsolable depression, a distorted body image, and a pattern of inappropriate behaviours that interfere with normal life.

Binge eating disorder is a condition in which you regularly eat large amounts of food within a couple of hours or less (a binge). You feel that you can't control the binges, and you feel unhappy about them afterward. Unlike bulimia, if you have binge eating disorder, you don't vomit or try other ways to get rid of calories after you binge. However, you might try to restrict your food intake between binges. Binge eating disorder is sometimes called compulsive overeating.

Experts are not sure what causes binge eating disorder. It might run in families (genetic link). Experts think cultural attitudes about body shape and weight also play a role in eating disorders.1 Anxiety, depression, or stress can trigger binging in some people.2

A doctor can diagnose binge eating disorder by doing a physical exam and asking questions about your medical history and eating habits. Your doctor also might ask you questions about your mental health and your attitudes toward food and the shape of your body.

Binge eating disorder usually starts in the late teen to young adult years. It is more common in women than men. It affects as many as 2% of females in the United States.1 It is estimated that one-fourth of people who are obese have binge eating disorder.1 Binge eating disorder can be triggered by dieting, depression, anxiety, boredom, or even stress, which is then relieved with binge eating. Your risk of developing this condition increases if: You are a perfectionist.

Eating disorders can be fatal. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disease per capita and is the third most common chronic illness in women between 15 and 25 years in developed countries. Research shows the anorexics are 11 times more likely to die then their peers of the same age and gender. Their rate of suicide is staggeringly 37 times greater.

This article provides insight into personality, environmental, and biochemical risk factors for eating disorders.

This article discusses causes of eating disorders and defines them. Personality, genetic and biochemistry issues are discussed.

Depression and an Eating Disorder can occur at the same time. This article discusses the biochemistry behind this.

copy; 1995-2006, Healthwise, Incorporated, P.O. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information. For more information, click here.

First you must decide if you want to make helping people a career or a volunteer activity. If you want a career, prepare yourself by getting at least a masters degree in psychology, counseling, psychiatric nursing, or clinical social work. If you want more training, you could become a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist. The people in your campus academic counseling center can help you arrange the classes you need for these options.

This information is provided by Cynthia M. Bulik, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry at the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric & Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University.) Although there does appear to be a genetic component, just because an individual may be genetically predisposed does not mean that she or he will necessarily express the genes. Both anorexia and bulimia nervosa do run in families, and twin studies suggest that genetics do contribute to the familial tendencies.

There is no simple explanation and there has been a lot of research into the “causes” of eating disorders. We know that we cannot simply blame “the culture”, fashion magazines, family relationships, early traumatic experiences, or abuse or buried psychological problems like depression or anxiety.

Great site with information on why Prevention is so important and information on ways to prevent EDs.

Call the Georgia Tech Counseling Center at (404)894-2575. You can get more information at Eating-Disorders