Compulsive Overeating is generally characterised by an addiction to food, and using food as a comfort from our emotions. In times of high emotional stress, compulsive overeating can be heightened, and sufferers seek to find comfort in the food they are eating, even thought they often eat to a point where they are too full.

Binge Eating Disorder is similar, in that sufferers will binge on large amounts off food when they are stressed or upset, and find a short amount of relief in the binge. Even if, afterwards, it is associated with quite negatives feelings, it allows people to essentially "swallow" their emotions.

Both disorders often mean the sufferer become overweight, and are forced to face a lot of stigma in public due to their weight. This can actually make the behaviours worse as they try and face the way they feel about themselves.

Binge Eating is also found in Bulimia Nervosa, but in Binge Eating Disorder it is not compensated with behaviours after the binge.

The emotional results of both Compulsive Overeating and Binge Eating Disorder include feelings of guilt and shame, self hatred, a desire for control, and a low self-esteem. People who suffer Compulsive Overeating Disorder often fantasise about food, about when they can next eat alone and what they can eat. It can become an obsession and dominate their life.

People with these disorders often have trouble with their emotions, and may be suffering from depression or other mood disorders. They may also be sad, stressed or bored, which is causing them to overeat/binge eat. The urge to overeat and binge comes from the inability to maintain or deal with these emotions. The disorders are best treated with therapy to discover what emotions are not being dealt with, and why, and eventually to learn how to cope with emotions in a healthy manner.

Someone suffering this disorder might become anti-social, and not leave the house if able. Due to the shame they feel about their body and their behaviours, they might find social situations difficult and anxiety-inducing.

Often a fear of eating, of being out of control, and of eating around other people is common with the disorders. Being "found out" as overeating or binge eating is a fear of people suffering, and will go to many lengths to hide how much they've eaten, including lying.

There are several medical side affects of Compulsive Overeating or Binge Eating Disorders, including weight gain, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and depression.

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS OF COMPULSIVE OVEREATING DISORDER.

• A seeming addiction with food.
• Fear of not being in control.
• Eating often when not hungry.
• Unstable moods.
• Unable to control emotions.
• Feeling out of control when eating.
• Obsessive thoughts about food.
• Eating alone often.
  

• Eats large amounts of food in one sitting.
• Unable to exert control when eating.
• Feeling depressed / shame / guilt after binging.
• Eating until physically uncomfortable.
• Eating despite not being hungry.
• Depression and unstable moods.