If a person eats food in large amounts, this doesn't really mean that the person suffers from binge disorder. Binge eating is a recently recognized eating disorder. This disorder affects millions of people mostly living in metros.

People with this disorder instantly eat bulky amount of food while losing control over their eating. This disorder differs from binge-purge or bulimia nervosa. The reason is because binge eaters do not usually vomit afterward or use laxatives.

Most of us opt for overeating food sometimes but binge eaters feel like eating in heavy amounts for other reasons like depression or guilt. They don't eat because they feel hungry. True, just because a person eats in large amounts, it cannot be assumed that the person suffers from binge disorder. Debates continue amidst doctors about the main symptoms relating to binge eating. Let's check some basic symptoms.

People having this disorder usually suffer from

frequent spells of eating large amounts of food,

losing control over what or how much should be eaten, eating too fast, eating when there is no actual hunger, eating alone so that others donÂ't see the amount of food and feeling very guilty after eating.

Binge eating episodes do also occur in disorders like bulimia nervosa. But a person who suffers from bulimia regularly indulges in purging, engaging in hard exercises after overeating and so on. Using laxatives in greater numbers is another tactic that a bulimia affected person adopts to lose weight. Long spells of fasting may last at least for 24 hours. These measures are very hazardous for a personÂ's health even if it is meant to lose weight.

People who suffer from binge disorder are mostly obese. There is no proof of ethnic influences or factors relating to this as of yet. Obese people usually gain weight at a very young age with this eating disorder. It might further result in seesawing episodes of losing and immediately regaining weight.

The causes of binge eating are still not fully known. A majority of binge eaters have a history of stress and depression. It is unclear if depression causes binge eating or binge eating causes depression. Both are interlinked. Psychological problems like sadness, ennui, tension, sadness and negatives feelings can easily erupt into binge eating sessions.

It is difficult to state if dieting has any effect on binge eating. Findings differ on it. Early scientific investigations suggest that almost half of the people with this eating disorder suffered binge episodes even they decided to diet. Yet, rigorous dieting may fetch severe consequences in some people.

Researchers are currently considering how metabolism and chemicals in brain can affect binge eating. But the research is in very early stage. It will be too early to say what it will really bring out especially as the complications related with binge eating have become public knowledge.

Binge eating disorder can invite several complications that add to obesity. Diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, blood pressure, and cancer are linked with binge eating. Stressed by their eating disorder, many people fail to control their habit.

Obese people are prone to carry this disorder to its extreme. This is because they feel ashamed about their size. But people who are slightly obese and are not overweight should not engage themselves in dieting. It can leave an adverse impact on health.

Since food is an essential part of human life, it is important not to feel guilty about it or overeat. What is most important is self analysis to help you feel positive and confident. Binge eating is something you can control so develop confidence and get a good confidante among your friends with whom you can share your problems.