Bulimia
Bulimia involves a cycle of uncontrolled binge eating followed by purging. A person with bulimia will purge by using laxatives, inducing vomiting, exercising compulsively or fasting. The binge-purge cycle can be triggered by hunger, stress, depression, anxiety or other emotions. Typical symptoms include binge-purge episodes, a feeling of lack of control over eating and life in general, strict exercise and dieting guidelines, use of laxatives, diuretics or diet pills and a poor self-image.

Compulsive overeating People who feel they are ''addicted'' to food and often find themselves using food to satisfy emotional needs such as stress, depression, or anger may be compulsive overeaters. They typically do not follow overeating with purging but often berate themselves for not being able to follow a diet, have low self-esteem and feel ashamed of themselves. Eating to satisfy a void in your life or as a way to cope with feelings has a strong underlying psychological element that needs to be addressed.

Combinations
It's not uncommon for someone to restrict her food intake compulsively (anorexia) for a period of days or weeks, then suddenly start eating large amounts of food followed by purging (bulimia). Sometimes people use exercise as a method to purge. It's often more socially accepted to run an additional two miles because you ate a cookie than to make yourself vomit, but the reason behind the purge is the same. Symptoms of anorexia, bulimia and compulsive overeating often go together.