Many people assume that a person with an eating disorder has a problem with food. However, eating disorders actually have more to do with the mental and emotional health of a person than their relationship to food. Depression, anxiety and other mood disorders are common in people with BED. Substance abuse is often also a problem.

Because binge eating disorder is really a symptom of underlying problems in a person's life, it often needs the help of a professional to be brought under control. If you are a binge eater, and have tried unsuccessfully to control the problem on your own, you may want to seek professional treatment.

The treatment of binge eating disorder is not only important for your mind, it is also vital for your body. The physical health risks associated with binge eating disorder include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Gall bladder disease
• Heart disease
• Kidney failure or disease
• Certain types of cancer
• Complications during pregnancy

To avoid these complicated health problems, it's best to get your disorder under control as soon as possible.

Like other eating disorders, BED can be treated and a healthy weight restored. However, the sooner this disorder is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome is likely to be. BED can require medical care and monitoring, as well as psychological and nutritional counseling. Some severe cases may require hospitalization.

For further information on where to get professional help, and for referral to binge eating disorder programs, click on the NIDDK link below.

Understanding what's going on beneath your bingeing is key to taking control of the disorder. Writing and processing your thoughts and feelings is the first step towards this understanding. Consider these statements that are true of many binge eaters, and use a journal to work through your reactions to the questions.

Bingeing is a temporary suspension from reality and feelings. Could this be true for you? When you binge do you think or feel anything, or are you just involved in eating? Think of some situations in your life that cause painful feelings. Are there any connections between these situations and feelings, and a binge episode?

Binge eaters have low self-esteem. Do you expect too much of yourself on the one hand, and on the other hand, are you ever really satisfied with your accomplishments? What does it take for you to be satisfied with yourself? What, in your eyes, would make you worthy of your own praise? Is your self-talk that of a caring best friend or a harsh critic that can't be pleased?

Binge eating is an outlet for unexpressed anger. Were you allowed to express anger as a child? How often do you express your anger now? After an argument with a loved one do you feel rejected, criticized, and guilty for causing it, even if you were not at fault? What do you think would happen if you expressed your anger?

People binge because they feel something is missing in their life. Ask yourself what is missing in your life. Go one step further - what can you do to change that?

Binge eating is often about rebellion. Some people say that when they binge it feels good because they are defying or rebelling against what has been expected of them. Does this ring true for you? If so, what or who are you rebelling against? Can you think of other ways to rebel without negative consequences?

Binges are predictable. Some people say that they can predict a binge – can you? Think about your last three binge episodes, what preceded them? Is there a common thread? Could you have predicted them? Could you have avoided them?