Binge eating is a disorder in which a person eats excessively in a short period of time.  Afterwards, they do not compensate by using weight control behaviors such as vomitting, fasting, over-exercising, or abusing laxatives.  A person with binge eating disorder is often overweight.  Because of the importance our culture places on thiness, the person is usually dissatisfied with their body.  The person may try to diet, and when they become hungry, they binge eat.  Binge eaters use food to cope with stress, emotions, and conflicts.  The binge is often accompanied with a feeling of being out of control.  Binge eaters often eat alone because they are ashamed and disgusted by their eating behaviors.