Hi Jessica,

I've always thought that while those with anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating have different disordered eating behaviors, they are really all very much alike underneath it all in that they all use food as a way to regulate emotions. I also believe all eating disorders, whether anorexia or binge eating, are not about food or body weight, but rather, some sort of underlying issue. They are less about a relationship with food and one's physical body, but more about a relationship with one's self. That is why I think it's so important for anyone suffering with any kind of disordered eating to seek out counseling so that these underlying issues can be addressed.

I hope this makes sense. I tend to have a hard time getting my ideas across at times, so please let me know if there's anything I can clarify.

I very much agree with Wildflower that the underlying disorder is similar even though the eating disorder might manifest itself in seemingly very different forms. Many people, including myself have had phases of different forms of eating disorders.

I also agree that its important to address the underlying issues rather than just trying hard to eat better, although of course effort is required in overcoming disordered eating habits too.

Thank you both so much! I have been caught up in all types of ED through out my life, just like you Kathywonders. I am now a binge eater. I am overweight and very ashamed of how I look. I've become a recluse, because I am so disgusted with the way I look, yet at the same time, I still binge.I hate myself!
I feel such sadness for all the people that are bound by any type of ED. In a sick way, I am relieved that we are not alone in it.

Hi Jessica, In my experience with a long history of EDs (ranging from extreme anorexia through to BED, non-purging) all ED behaviours/obsessions are on a long spectrum. For me personally what triggered the BED periods was just the physical reaction of my body to the starvation mode I was forcing it unnaturally into. Stress and anxiety were also big components for me. I had decades of suffering before I came to the place of being strong enough inside to really face (in therapy) the root causes.

As the others have said, I have found it's all been about using or controlling a substance/addictive pattern to block out the pain inside of me; this pain manifested through my emotions and thoughts etc then came out in my actions. With my EDs it has primarily been about the control of food/weight/size etc and also using obsessive exercise to cope with the overwhelming feelings of inner self-hatred, shame and severe self-loathing rooted in childhood incest/abuse.

Keep asking questions about anything you don't understand; that's how we all learn more about how to understand our ED journey and ourselves :-)

kpsurfersfan, Thank you so much for sharing. It looks as though we have both gone through ED of all types. Thank you for helping me understand better about that the root of the problem is the cause for our ED . Still working on the root Ugh!