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Binge Eating Disorder: 7 Warning Signs

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Binge Eating Disorder: 7 Warning Signs

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating. A binge eating episode is defined as eating an unusually large amount of food in a short period of time, feeling a lack of control over eating during the episode, and experiencing significant distress or shame afterwards. BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting millions of people.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may have BED, it is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional. Treatment for BED is often successful, and there are many resources available to help people recover.

7 Common Signs of Binge Eating Disorder

Here are 7 warning signs of binge eating disorder:

  1. Eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, even when not hungry. This is the hallmark symptom of BED. People with BED often feel like they can't stop eating, even when they're full.
  2. Feeling a lack of control over eating during binge episodes. People with BED often report feeling like they're “out of control” during binge episodes. They may feel like they can't stop eating, even if they want to.
  3. Eating rapidly during binge episodes. People with BED often eat very quickly during binge episodes. They may also eat in secret or hide their eating behavior.
  4. Eating until uncomfortably full. People with BED often eat until they feel physically uncomfortable. They may experience pain or bloating after eating.
  5. Eating alone or in secret. People with BED often feel ashamed of their eating behavior and may try to hide it from others. They may eat in secret or avoid eating in public.
  6. Experiencing feelings of guilt, shame, or disgust after binge eating. People with BED often feel very guilty, ashamed, or disgusted with themselves after binge eating. They may also experience feelings of depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
  7. Using food to cope with stress, boredom, or negative emotions. People with BED may turn to food to cope with difficult emotions, such as stress, boredom, sadness, or anger. They may find that eating makes them feel better, at least temporarily.

Risk Factors for Binge Eating Disorder

There are a number of risk factors that can increase a person's risk of developing BED, including:

  • Genetics: BED can run in families.
  • Trauma: A history of trauma, such as abuse or neglect, can increase the risk of developing BED.
  • Mental health conditions: People with other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, are at an increased risk of developing BED.
  • Body image concerns: People who are dissatisfied with their body image are at an increased risk of developing BED.

Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder

Treatment for BED typically involves a combination of therapy and lifestyle changes. Therapy can help people to understand the underlying causes of their BED and develop coping skills to manage their eating behavior. Lifestyle changes may include making healthy dietary changes, engaging in regular physical activity, and learning to manage stress.

If you are struggling with binge eating disorder, it is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional. There are many effective treatments available, and you can recover.

Resources

If you are concerned about binge eating disorder, here are some resources that can help:

mental health