Someone with binge eating disorder eats portions of food considerably larger than the norm, a diet often consisting of food that is fattening and high in calories. However, because they eat their food so quickly, it is seldom really tasted or enjoyed. After bingeing, because of how much they have eaten, they experience intense feelings of shame or self-loathing. Despite this, their compulsion is such that - the next time they consider overeating – they cannot resist the urge.
Unlike the person with bulimia, who purges after bingeing, the person with BED does not immediately compensate for their overeating. The person with binge eating disorder can hide the precise cause of their issue, often binges in secret, and maintains the appearance of ‘normal’ eating in front of others.
Sometimes, the person with binge eating disorder engages in compensation by restricting food intake. However, this can result in further binge eating.
Binge eating can have an impact on someone’s self-esteem and can also be linked to depression, which can result in further episodes of overeating. Eventually, the person with binge eating disorder can become trapped in a cycle of bingeing, restricting, and self-recrimination.