Binge Eating Disorder

People suffering from binge eating disorder feel an uncontrollable urge to overeat on a regular basis by bingeing.  Unlike sufferers of bulimia they do not use any purging methods to prevent a gain in weight, though they may restrict their food intake in-between binges. They are likely to have fluctuating weight and to become overweight.

They feel out of control of their eating, and their secret bingeing behaviour adds to their sense of personal disgust and distress. 

The diagnostic criteria used by the NHS:

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating

  • Eating a larger amount of food than normal during a short period of time (within two hours)

  • Feeling a lack of control over eating during the binge episode

• Binge eating episodes are associated with three or more of the following:

  • Eating until feeling uncomfortably full

  • Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry

  • Eating much more rapidly than normal

  • Eating alone or in secret

  • Feeling disgusted, depressed or guilty after overeating

• Marked distress about their binge eating

• Binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week over 3 months

• The binge eating is not followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviour (i.e. purging, excessive exercise)

Symptoms include:

• Weight gain through a compulsion to overeat

• Range from normal weight through to extreme obesity

• The health problems related to obesity, e.g. diabetes, heart problems, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure

• Binges triggered by anxiety, depression sadness,  anger, boredom, stress, loneliness, low self-esteem

• For some, continual food craving/continual  grazing on food  

Some observable signs:

• Rapid weight gain or obesity

• Frequently eats an abnormal amount of food in a short period of time

• Does not use methods to purge food

• Eats rapidly (may swallow without chewing)

• Feels a lack of control over eating - unable to stop

• Eating alone 

• Eating in secret,  late at night

• Disgust, guilt and shame with self after overeating

• Embarrassment about feeling unattractive  

• Hoarding and hiding food/stashing food in various locations

• Creating rituals and buying “special” binge food, e.g. high calorie/junk food

• Social isolation, avoiding social situations involving food

• Depression and anxiety