Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a mental health disorder characterized by a recurrence of binge eating. Binge eating is described as eating large amounts of food, in a discrete period of time, that most people would not eat in a similar period of time. There are similarities between Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa including eating large amounts of food in a discrete period of time, having a sense of lack of control over eating, eating when not physically hungry and experiencing feelings of disgust with oneself, feeling depressed or guilty after binge eating. The stand-out difference between Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa is the inappropriate compensatory behaviors or purging that occur after eating. Meaning the person with Binge Eating Disorder does not induce vomiting or take laxatives to eliminate the food after a binge eating episode.
How do you know if you’re binge eating?
As with all eating disorders food is merely a symptom of Binge Eating Disorder and like all eating disorders BED is a mental health disorder. Binge Eating Disorders occur with people who are normal-weight, overweight and obese and the prevalence of Binge Eating Disorder is three times higher in women than men. Binge Eating Disorder is not a result of failed diets or a lack of will power. Although little is known about the development of Binge Eating Disorder, it is common in adolescents and young adults and tends to run in families. It is important to understand that Binge Eating Disorder like Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa include serious medical issues to include.
How much food is considered a binge?
Those who struggle with Binge Eating Disorder, over eat. There is no one particular food that is favored by people who experience binge eating but rather it is about consuming food in large quantities, quickly and alone, out of sight of others. Often people with Binge Eating Disorder will eat continually over a period of time. For example someone with Binge Eating Disorder might eat a meal at a restaurant with friends or family but then after leaving the restaurant stop for more food at a drive-thru, continuing to eat on the way home and once home continuing to eat more food, to a point of extreme fullness. It’s important to understand that this behavior is not about weakness or a lack of will power. Binge eating disorder is a mental health disorder and people dealing BED are in need of our love and support, not judgement.
Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
The DSM 5-TR criteria for Binge Eating Disorders includes:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating
- Eating in a discrete period of time (within any 2-hour period) an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar period of time
- A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (feeling that one cannot stop eater or control what or how much one is eating)
- The binge eating episodes are associated with eating 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; feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterward (For a diagnosis a person would have to meet three of these five criteria)
- There is marked distress regarding binge eating is present
- The binge eating occurs, on aver, at least once a week for 3 months
- The binge eating is not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behavior as in bulimia nervosa and does not occur exclusively during the course of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa.
Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder may include inpatient hospitalization which is 24/7 care for persons who are medically unstable due to medical complications. Residential care is an option that includes 24/7 care in a residential like setting specific to the treatment of eating disorders and length of treatment ranges from several weeks to several months. Outpatient is the most common treatment modality for Binge Eating Disorder however, it is essential that a multi-disciplinary team be formed including the Psychotherapist, Primary Care Physician (or Pediatrician), Nutritionist, Client, Family and Psychiatrist (if applicable).
If you are someone you know is suffering with Binge Eating Disorder, please get help immediately! The sooner you get into the treatment the shorter the journey to recovery. If you can’t find the help you need please access my resource guide at my Website, www.drsherryboles.com. Please don’t give up hope, people with Binge Eating Disorder find recovery every day and you can too!
