People with binge eating disorder frequently eat large amounts of food while feeling a loss of control over their eating. This is an addictive disorder.
Bulimics often use and abuse drugs and have high rates of alcoholism.
Anorexia Nervosa is a very serious disease, which can often lead to hospitalization. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a refusal to eat resulting from an intense fear of weight gain. People with this disease may make themselves vomit if they do eat. Three to eight percent of people with this disease die prematurely. Half of those who survive recover within six years.