Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms, Risk Factors, And Tips To Help Treatment Work

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Binge eating disorder (BED) is a common eating disorder, which occurs even more often than anorexia or bulimia. In the United States, approximately 1.6% of teenagers, 3.5 % of adult women, and 2% of adult men suffer from this illness. It usually starts in late adolescence and young adulthood, though children and older people may also develop the condition. This condition usually co-occurs with other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse.

What sets it apart from bulimia nervosa is that people who suffer from the latter practice “purging” (which includes vomiting and using laxatives and diuretics), fasting, and exercising excessively in an attempt to lose weight.

If you have binge eating episodes at least once a week for three month and have symptoms described below, you meet the criteria for binge eating disorder diagnosis.

Symptoms of BED include:

- eating large quantities of food within short periods of time (e.g. 2 hours);

- feeling that you’ve lost control over your eating behavior;

- eating even when you don’t feel hungry;

- eating until you’re so full that you feel physically unwell;

- eating too quickly during an episode;

- eating alone because you’re embarrassed of how much you eat;

- feeling guilty, ashamed, depressed, and disgusted after an episode.


As with many other mental disorders, the exact cause of BED is unclear. But there are certain factors that may increase your risk of developing the condition:

- family history of eating disorders, which means that a genetic component may play a role;

- extreme, unhealthy dieting;

- psychological issues, such as low self-esteem and stress;

- young age – the disorder usually starts when a person is a teenager or young adult

As any mental health condition, binge eating disorder is unlikely to resolve itself and requires professional medical treatment. The treatment often involves psychotherapy and, sometimes, medications. If you or your loved one shows the symptoms of BED, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a doctor.

In addition to closely following your prescribed treatment, you can take steps to make it more effective:

- don’t diet, unless advised by your doctor;

- don’t skip breakfast, which is the most important meal of every day;

- make your surroundings more facilitative for your treatment: keep foods (which are mostly unhealthy foods) that trigger your episodes away from you home and try to avoid exposure to these foods in other places;

- you may ask your doctor to create a meal plan for you and stick to it as best as you can;

- don’t isolate yourself from family, friends, and other people who are trying to help – you need their support for the treatment to be more successful;

- talk to your doctor about the kind and amount of exercise that will benefit you;

- find pleasant distractions, such as yoga, meditation, walking, or any other activity, which can help you relax;

- keep a food journal, documenting the kinds and amounts of food you eat, when and where you eat, and why you eat (because you’re really hungry or because your emotions make you eat).