What are the symptoms of binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly engaging in compensatory behaviors (purging) like those with Bulimia Nervosa.
BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting 3.5% of women, 2% of men, and 1.6% of adolescents. Though it was only recognized as a distinct eating disorder in the DSM-5 in 2013, it is thought to be the most common Eating Disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS).
BED symptoms include:
Rapid eating: Eating large amounts of food in a short period of time. This can be done secretly or in public.
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full: One may try to stop eating, but feel unable to do so.
Eating large amounts of food even when not feeling physically hungry: For example, eating when bored, upset, or after having already eaten enough.
Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterwards: After a binge, one may feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty. These feelings can lead to another binge in an attempt to cope.
Purging is not a symptom of BED, though some people with BED may also purge through vomiting or use of laxatives.
There are a number of potential causes of BED, including:
Genetic factors: Eating disorders tend to run in families, so there may be a genetic predisposition to developing BED.
Biological factors: imbalances in certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) may play a role in BED.
Environmental factors: Exposure to dieting, trauma, or stressful life events may increase the risk of developing BED.
It is important to note that BED is not simply overeating or eating “too much”. Binge eating disorder is a serious mental illness that can lead to physical health problems and havoc on one’s life. If you or someone you know is displaying these symptoms, please seek professional help. Visit Them
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; and feelings of guilt, shame, and/or distress after the binge. 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 not feeling physically hungry; eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating; and feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterward.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, 3.5% of women, 2% of men, and 1.6% of adolescents struggle with BED.
Binge eating disorder is serious and can have adverse consequences on one’s health and well-being. Binge eating disorder is associated with a number of mental and physical health problems, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. Binge eating disorder can also lead to social isolation and impaired work or school performance.
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, please seek professional help. Recovery is possible with proper treatment.
Visit mengeredstoo.co.uk to learn more about overcoming binge eating disorder. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.