Binge eating is when you devour a large amount of food and feel you can’t control what or how much you eat. If you binge eat regularly—at least once a week for three months—you may have a binge eating disorder.
- During such binges, a person rapidly consumes an excessive amount of food.
- Binge eating episodes are typically classified as occurring at least twice weekly for six months.
Although people who do not have an eating disorder may occasionally experience episodes of overeating, frequent binge eating is often a symptom of an eating disorder.
Men and women suffering from binge eating disorder struggle with emotions of disgust and guilt and usually have a related co-morbidity, such as depression or anxiety.
Is there a difference between overeating and binge eating?
Binge eating differs from “normal” overeating in several ways:
- Food is consumed more rapidly
- Control over the amount of food consumed is lost
- Feelings of disgust, regret, or guilt are experienced after the episode
- Eating may occur alone due to embarrassment over the amount of food consumed
Binge eating is when a client:
- Periodically does not exercise control over the consumption of food
- Eats a massive amount of food at one time, far more than an average person would eat in the same amount of time
- Eats much faster during binge episodes than during regular eating episodes
- Eats until physically uncomfortable and nauseated due to the amount of food just consumed
- Eats when depressed or bored (emotional eater – eats when happy, sad, worried)
- Eats large amounts of food even when not hungry
- Usually eats alone during binge-eating episodes to avoid discovery of the disorder
- Often eats alone during periods of normal eating, owing to feelings of embarrassment about food
- Feels disgusted, depressed or guilty after binge eating
- Rapid weight gain or sudden onset of obesity
Complications
Frequent overeating can lead to weight gain and obesity, which can cause significant health problems.
People with binge eating disorders may become ill due to a lack of proper nutrition.
Binge eating episodes include high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods and can lead to obesity and various health risks such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
The specific factors that contribute to binge eating are still not fully understood, but potential risk factors may include:
Get help
Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
Professional support and treatment from health professionals specializing in the treatment of binge eating disorders, including psychiatrists, nutritionists, and therapists, can be the most effective way to address binge eating disorders.
Such a treatment program would address the underlying issues associated with destructive eating habits, focusing on the central cause of the problem.
It is necessary to concentrate on healing from the emotional triggers that may be causing binge eating and having proper guidance in establishing healthier coping mechanisms to deal with stress, depression, anxiety, etc.
Quiz
You can do the following quiz to learn about eating disorders: Eating Disorder Quiz.
The aim is not to diagnose – but to inform.
Resources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/when-does-overeating-become-binge-eating-3495807
Binge eating disorder | K12 Academics. https://www.k12academics.com/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder
Binge Why Eating Disorder (BED) is commonly known by compulsive overeating? – Jon and Josh Memorial Fund. https://jonandjoshmemorial.org/binge-why-eating-disorder-bed-is-commonly-known-by-compulsive-overeating/