Binge Eating, the New Eating Disorder

Binge eating has been declared a mental disorder by the American Psychiatry Association. This disorder impacts really self-critical and depressed people. Both men and women get equally affected by this disorder, unlike bulimia and anorexia.

Around 1.3 million people in Britain are potential binge eaters as per experts.

"People suffering from binge eating disorder tend to be overweight and, in addition to this, have phases when they regularly binge eat - but without the purging behaviour associated with bulimia," Christopher Fairburn, professor of psychiatry at Oxford University and a leading authority on binge eating explained to the Daily Mail.

"When binge eating, people can't stop eating once they've started - and many can't resist starting in the first place," Fairburn said. "This is different from greed, which is about letting your hair down, going for it and enjoying it."

Many binge eaters even rush to the medics for help, but a majority of general practioners are unaware about this particular disorder. The patients simply require some guidance and support regarding their diet and eating habits.

According to the experts, the mental issues, which trigger this disordered should be dealt with first.

"I knew that what I was doing was not normal or right, but it never occurred to me I might have an eating disorder," Hayley, a binge eating disorder patient told the Daily Mail. "I thought I had a weight problem."

Hayley also said that a majority of medics and practitioners were unaware about the fact that an obese person can be diagnosed with this disorder. She also said that she is not a foodie but was obsessed with food.