A University of North Carolina survey finds 60% of women have an eating disorder. You're probably familiar with life-threatening eating disorders like Anorexia or Bulimia, but another less publicized eating disorder can be just as risky.

For one woman, chocolate and red wine is just a guilty pleasure. She says, "After he goes to bed, I'll break out the big bar of chocolate, yes that's pretty sad. Bottle of wine. Yeah, red wine and chocolate."

But 'Secret Eating' can be serious for women. In fact, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Jay Ashmore says it's one of the most common eating disorders.

"Eating a large amount of food in a certain discreet period of time, feeling a sense of loss of control, as if you can't control your eating or stop and then a host of criteria -- that several have to be met -- such as eating in secret, eating until uncomfortably full, and feeling negative about it during or after the eating episode," Dr. Ashmore clarifies.

Secret eaters are not alone. Calorie prisoners are consumed with counting every morsel, while the career dieter's weight is like a yo-yo: Up and down. Dr. Ashmore says the conditions can lead to more serious disorders.

"Anger, stress, anxiety, and that in and of itself or in combination without eating can trigger a binge or over-eating or eating when not hungry. Why? Because it just feels good, and you're going to do something that feels good to help you manage that negative mood," Dr. Ashmore warns.

When food takes over your life, doctors say it's time to take control. Two steps can put most women on the road to recovery. First, find another more constructive way to make yourself feel good. Dr. Ashmore suggests, "Pleasant activity scheduling, whatever that is -- taking a job, going shopping, something you like to do, calling a friend."

Then, Dr. Ashmore uses cognitive therapy to help women find their core issue and deal with it without the help of food.

"Can I actually cope with it and get it done? Well the fact is if I sit down and really think about it, I can," Dr. Ashmore insists.

Doctors say if you don't tackle the problem early, harmless eating disorders can turn into obesity, heart disease and even diabetes.

If you do feel the need to be a little indulgent, that's OK, just remember you are in control of the food--not the food controlling your moods.