Binge Eating an Unknown Eating Disorder

Though anorexia and bulimia get a lot of press, little attention is paid to the most common eating disorder: Binge eating. Binge eating can lead to obesity, diabetes and depression, and while many people overeat now and then, binge eating disorder involves frequent out-of-control overeating, and it can cause a person to feel shame, anxiety or guilt.

A recent study out of Dalhousie University found that perfectionists, especially, can be at risk of developing binge eating disorder. Binging is a form of escapism -- "Think about it -- when was the last time that you were rapidly eating a pizza and pondering a major life decision at exactly the same time?" study author Dr. Simon Sherry asks Science Daily -- so perfectionists may turn to binge eating as a way to distract themselves from overwhelming, negative feelings.

Card-carrying perfectionists -- binge eaters or not -- might be able to relate to this. When a perfectionist sets a goal and it isn't reached, it creates difficult feelings. Sherry's study found that a particular sub-group of perfectionists -- those who feel they're being judged by others -- are at a heightened risk of turning to food for solace.

Symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

• eating large amounts of food, even when you're full
• eating rapidly or feeling like you're out of control
• hoarding or hiding empty food containers
• anxiety and depression
• negative feelings about your overeating

For more information on binge eating disorder, visit MayoClinic.com, and read about Monica Seles' own battle with binge eating.