Binge Eating Disorder

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.AbuseThe following page includes discussions of abuse, including verbal, physical, neglect, sexual (**SA also has its own warning**), etc. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Binge Eating Disorder (BED)** is when one frequently consumes unusually large amounts of food and feels unable to stop eating. The health risks of BED are most commonly associated with clinical obesity, weight stigma, and weight cycling. Most individuals who are labeled as clinically obese do not have binge eating disorder.

## Sings & Symptoms

Most individuals with BED are overweight or obese, but one may be at an average weight.

### Behavioral

Behavioral sings and symptoms of BED include:

* Eating unusually large amounts of food in a specific amount of time.
* Feeling that ones eating behavior is out of control.
* Eating even when full or not hungry.
* Eating rapidly during binge episodes.
* Eating until uncomfortably full.
* Frequently eating alone or in secret.
* Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty or upset about their eating.
* Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss.

Unlike bulimia, after a binge, one doesn't regularly compensate for extra calories by vomiting, using laxatives or exercising excessively.

### Physical

There are several physical consequences associated with binge eating disorder:

* Tiredness.
* Difficulty sleeping.
* Weight gain.
* Bloating.
* Constipation.
* Stomach pain.
* Other stomach problems.
* Poor skin condition.

### Diagnosis

The diagnostic requirements in the DSM-5 go as followed:

* Recurrent episodes of binge eating.
	+ Eating, in a discrete period of time, an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most individuals eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances.
	+ A sense of lack of control over eating during the episodes.
* The binge eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
	+ Eating much more rapidly than normal.
	+ Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
	+ Eating large amounts of food when one feeling physically hungry.
	+ Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating.
	+ Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterwards.
* Marked distress regarding binge eating present.
* The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months.
* The binge eating is not associated with recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors.

## Causes

The exact causes of binge eating disorder are not known, but one is more likely to have an eating disorder if:

* One has a family history of eating disorders, depression, or alcohol or drug misuse.
* One has been criticized for their eating habits, body shape or weight.
* One is too worried about being slim, particularly with pressure from society.
* One has anxiety, low self-esteem, an obsessive personality, or is a perfectionist.
* One has been sexually abused.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353627

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/binge-eating/overview/

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/binge-eating-disorder/

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/bed