Delays first meal for several hours after waking up. Is not hungry or is upset about how much was eaten the night before. Eats more food after dinner than during that meal. Eats more than half of daily food after dinner hour but before breakfast. This pattern has persisted for at least two months.
Person feels tense, anxious, upset, or guilty while eating.
Has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Wakes frequently and then often eats. Behavior is not like binge eating which is done in relatively short episodes. Night-eating syndrome involves continual eating throughout evening hours. This eating produces guilt and shame, not enjoyment.