Of course, when you overeat or restrict food to cope with problems, avoid painful feelings or maintain a sense of control, there is a real sense of frustration and shame about it. At the same time, since the acting out behavior is strongly in place, it functions to push away problems, including the anxiety and shame about being eating disordered. People seek help for a variety of reasons. Shame may become overpoweringly strong and the eating disordered person can no longer bear it. Another motivation is the passage of time.
Time can be an influence in another way, too.
Perhaps it was somewhat acceptable to be a binge eater at 22, for it seemed that binge eating would surely be outgrown by 25. At 28, however, it is quite another story and the eating disordered person becomes clear about not wanting to take this problem into her 30s, into her family life, into parenthood. Another factor is support. A supportive primary relationship or circle of friends may make it possible to consider getting help. Growth of self-esteem in other areas also plays a role.