People with an eating disorder feel compelled to repeat certain behaviors, such as overeating or eating too little. For this reason, eating disorders are placed in the category "behavioral disorder." Like substance abuse, another behavioral disorder, eating disorders can be very difficult to interrupt since the problem lies in what the individual does—her or his behavior and its consequences. These compelling behaviors gradually come to dominate the affected sufferers' lives, often disturbing the functioning of their bodies, their minds, and their everyday social lives. People with behavioral disorders sometimes also have other compulsions. For example, they may be unable to control the impulse to spend money (compulsive spending) or to gamble (compulsive gambling).

The eating disorders discussed below include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Compulsive eating can be a symptom of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, or binge eating, but it is not considered...