As to a professional, I can't answer your questions. As a binge eater I can only speak for myself. To me binge eating is like this:

You don't eat just for nutrition, you eat to fill a void in your life because at some point or another, it may have worked a time or two before.

Binge eating is out of control eating even after you are full. Some binge eaters only stop when they are past the point of full where it now hurts because your stomach is so full and hasn't had time to digest it.

Binge eating is "topping off" once you have digested some of the food but no longer have that full feeling.

Binge eating is saying "screw the proper utensils" and eat with hands full of food. You don't stop until your body is way over full and it just hurts to eat anymore.

Binge eating is afraid to bring food into the house at all for fear of eating that week's worth of groceries within days if not a day later.

Binge eaters have a smaller person inside them that can't see or don't have a strong enough motivation to stop.

Binge eating eating is heaven on earth and hell itself.

Binge eating is hating your wardrobe because it's seems to get smaller and smaller as your weight goes up.

Binge eating is feeling "hunger pangs" when you are actually still full, just not bursting with food.

Binge eating is pain while moving because it hurts to carry all this extra weight.

Binge eating is just hell because everywhere you go because when you get there, there is food. Or watching a good movie and noticing that the commercials are driving you nuts.

Binge eating is waking up the next day and doing the same thing over and over again and not getting the right help.

Yes, I feel all these things and oh so much more. I have more skills and more motivation and determination to stop it (sipping water and typing and trying not to eat the graham crackers in the cabinet.

And I've only touched the tip of the iceberg and wondering why icebergs couldn't be edible.

Anyone else want to add to this thread?