Loss of control is what leads to binge eating. Normally when a person overeats, they are unable to control their hunger pangs, whereas with an emotional/binge eating session, they are incapable of controlling the emotions. Rather than finding solace in companionship or material things; they find it in food. The idea behind binge eating is to escape into a make believe world of happy things by eating to one''s heart''s content on all occasions. They fail to understand that this escapism is not a solution from either their sadness or their emotional imbalance but a warning of ill health. It becomes a habit rather than a rare occurrence and slowly becomes a way of life.

Differences Between Overeating, Binge Eating and Bulimia

Overeating - Occasional overeating sometimes indicates an inability to choose between healthy and unhealthy food. Good habits like eating moderate portions of healthy food and eating on a regular schedule are no longer followed. Sometimes one overeats junk food.

Emotional Overeating - Emotional overeating is when people use food to cope with emotional imbalances, rather than as a means of sustenance, nutrition and energy. Binge Eating Disorder - Is when food is used to fill an emotional void resulting in an ''addiction'' to food. Emotional turmoil is calmed by binge eating although, in the long run, it breeds guilt, shame and disgust.

Bulimia - Binge eating disorder resembles a simialar disorder called Bulimia Nervosa. Howeve if differs from Bulimia because its sufferers do not purge themselves of the excess food by vomiting or by laxative or or diuretic abuse.