Avoidance For the food addict, avoidance becomes a way of life. Sex and intimacy become a thing of the past--mirrors and photos are dreaded. Food addicts hide behind certain colors and clothes. Because the food addict is so focused on their weight, body shape and size, they postpone life events for "when I get thin." Class reunions, social events, parties, etc. are too unbearable to face. Future birthdays and "next Monday" become target dates for "changing my life." Until the distorted view of the ideal body type is reached, the beach, the pool, the park are off limits.

Binge Eating A binge occurs when the food addict consumes a greater than average amount of food in a specific amount of time. (Greater than average will vary from person to person). Binge foods often have a high caloric content, high sugar, and/or high starches. The food is usually eaten very quickly and most often, hidden, or eaten secretly. Rapid eating is commonplace for the food addict.

Bulimia Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by obsessive and addictive traits relating to specific foods/food groups. The bulimic is unable to remove compulsions and obsessions and eat normally. Although bulimia may be accompanied by a purging component, purging is not a defining symptom of bulimia.

Denial It is the mental process by which the addicted individual concludes that he/she is all right; "I don't have a problem." Denial is the combination of ignorance of the disease process and the inability of self-examination to work together. Denial is what keeps you sick.

Depression Often, as the eating disorder progresses, along with increasing sensitivity to binge foods, irritability and depression are not far behind. Normal, every day acts become monumental and tiring, requiring more and more energy. Increased sadness and loss of control, along with lethargy lead to bouts of depression, a sense of hopelessness, and for some, suicidal thinking.

Food Addiction Engaging repeatedly in episodes of binge eating despite negative consequences. Symptoms include cravings, impulsiveness, loss of control, secretiveness, stealing food/candy, and the inability to feel satisfied. The food addict is relentlessly pursued by thoughts of food and are unable to distract themselves until they gain access to their binge food.

Food Compulsion The loss of control and inability to stop eating after one bite of binge food. One bite of your binge food is too much and one hundred bites too few.

Food Obsession Frequently recurring thoughts about buying, preparing, and eating food.

Isolation Inevitably, the food addict will find comfort in isolating themselves from others and will lose interest in everything, including shopping, caring for their home, working, being with family or friends, etc. Comfort is found in solitude, perpetuating the binge cycle and the disease process.

Poor Body Image Self-disgust is a byproduct of eating disorders. Fear of fat, self-hatred, and avoidance of reality propel the disease forward. Loss of relationships and intimacy are commonplace.

Purging In an effort to feel somewhat in control, purging through diet, fasting, exercise, self-induced vomiting, laxatives, and diuretics become "tools of the trade" for the food addict.

Non-Purgers A non-purging food addict often continues bingeing until faced with severe abdominal discomfort or an intrusion into their bingeing environment. Although the non-purger does not rid themselves of their food, they purge their guilt via self-hatred, feelings of remorse, and often, suicidal thinking or gestures.

Relationships It is not surprising that once the eating disorder becomes evident, self-pity, negative thinking, anger, and family problems surface. It is not uncommon for marriages to end and friends to draw away. Unfortunately, at the disease's worst, this is exactly what the food addict will find solace in, as there will no longer be a need to hide their bingeing or try to keep up a front of "having it together."

Tolerance For the food addict, tolerance to binge foods increase and cravings for bingeing and/or purging become more overwhelming and, in some addicts, the frequency of binges/purging increases.

Withdrawal When the addict's food is cut off, symptoms experienced can include dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, food cravings, severe headache, lethargy, and poor concentration. The withdrawal stage can last from three to ten days.