Key takeaways

  • Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by frequent episodes of consuming large quantities of food. It’s the most common eating disorder in the United States.
  • BED may lead to serious health complications, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It often coexists with emotional distress or mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
  • Effective treatment focuses on reducing binge episodes and improving emotional well-being, which may involve therapy and addressing any underlying psychological factors.

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a mental health condition characterized by frequent, short episodes in which a person has difficulty controlling the amount of food they eat, resulting in overeating.

BED is the most common type of eating disorder in the United States. It can affect anyone regardless of sex, gender, age, or ethnicity. But it is most common during early adulthood.

In many cases, the BED cycle of eating is a way to manage emotional problems, and it can be a symptom of an underlying mental health condition.

This article details the symptoms, causes, and treatments of BED.

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BED involves short episodes — up to 2 hours — in which a person consumes larger amounts of food than usual and has difficulty managing themselves.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), this habit of overeating can manifest in various ways, such as:

  • eating much more quickly than usual
  • eating until the person feels too full
  • eating a lot when not hungry
  • eating alone, due to embarrassment about the quantity
  • feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after eating

Healthcare professionals in the United States often use the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR) to diagnose BED.

The DSM-5-TR outlines BED as experiencing these bingeing episodes at least once weekly for 3 months.

While the DSM-5-TR defines certain criteria for diagnosing BED, it’s important to note that people can still experience episodes of “bingeing,” but not meet the APA’s diagnostic criteria.

For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not use a specific timeframe for a diagnostic criterion in the International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision (ICD-11).

Researchers have also found that some people who experience “bingeing” episodes might not meet any BED diagnostic criteria, but meet those for a non-specified eating disorder, which can lead to emotional, social, and physical complications.

Other behaviors and complications

Along with experiencing bingeing episodes, a person with BED may also:

  • feel that the eating behavior is uncontrollable
  • diet frequently but find it difficult to keep to the diet or to lose weight
  • plan a binge and buy special foods in advance
  • store food secretly
  • hide empty food containers
  • have feelings of panic, a lack of focus, anxiety, and despair

BED also increases the risk of developing several health complications, such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

BED is often related to an underlying mental health or psychiatric condition, including:

BED may also lead to further emotional challenges. The individual may experience a cycle of guilt in which they:

  • feel despair at being trapped
  • attempt self-discipline
  • engage in more periods of overeating

Low self-esteem is a common underlying factor in eating disorders, including overeating. This can lead to self-blame and further damage to self-esteem.

BED may have a serious impact on a person’s mental, physical, and social health and well-being.

Anyone who finds it difficult to manage their eating habits or experiences negative feelings regarding food should speak with a healthcare professional, such as a primary care doctor.

A primary care doctor can refer someone to a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist.

Several diagnostic tests may be used to diagnose BED.

A primary doctor will most likely perform a physical examination and ask the individual about their eating behaviors and any feelings they may have regarding them. This may include questions about:

  • the frequency, duration, and eating speed of bingeing episodes
  • possible triggers of episodes
  • lifestyle factors, such as exercise frequency
  • how a person feels before, during, and after an episode

Several types of questionnaires and medical assessments are also used to evaluate eating disorders and classify the severity of BED.

The DSM-5-TR classifies BED into the following categories, based on how often episodes occur during the week:

  • Mild: 1 to 3 episodes
  • Moderate: 4 to 7 episodes
  • Severe: 8 to 13 episodes
  • Extreme: 14 or more episodes

If a person is receiving treatment for BED, a doctor may classify BED based on the duration of remission, which refers to a sustained period in which a person does not experience a binge episode for a sustained period.

People often find it difficult to discuss their eating habits with others, but treatment can help manage uncontrolled eating habits and any underlying emotional issues that may be causing them.

The exact cause of BED is unclear, according to the Office on Women’s Health. However, biological factors, personality traits, and environmental influences may all contribute.

Researchers have linked a number of risk factors with BED, such as:

  • Age: BED can occur at any age, but it’s most common in the late teens or early 20s.
  • Genetic mutations: Variations in genes that regulate appetite and fullness hormones, such as ghrelin and leptin, may be linked with BED.
  • Personal and family history: Family environments can foster negative relationships with food, increasing the risk of a person developing an eating disorder.
  • Social environment: The focus of the media, including social media, on body shape, appearance, and weight, may be a trigger for BED.
  • Other eating disorders: People who have or have had another eating disorder, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, are at a higher risk of developing BED.
  • Related conditions: Some medical conditions, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, may trigger BED.
  • Dieting: People who diet are more likely to have BED than those who do not diet.
  • Trauma: People who have experienced trauma are more likely to have BED.

Treatment usually aims to reduce the frequency of bingeing episodes and improve emotional well-being.

Treatment for an eating disorder often involves several aspects:

  • Talk therapy: Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help a person identify, understand, and change behaviors, feelings, and emotions linked with BED.
  • Nutrition counseling: Working with a registered dietitian who specializes in eating disorders can help individuals develop sustainable eating habits and personalized food plans.
  • Medication: Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may help manage underlying mental health conditions.
  • Support groups: Joining online or in-person self-help and support groups, such as those from the National Eating Disorders Association, can help alleviate feelings of isolation.

BED is a mental health condition characterized by frequent episodes of eating larger-than-usual amounts of food and having difficulty managing the amount.

Anyone who may be experiencing symptoms of BED or negative feelings regarding their eating behaviors should consider speaking with a healthcare professional, such as a licensed psychologist who specializes in eating disorders.

Is it important to seek help because the consequences of any eating disorder, including binge eating, can be serious, but treatment — although it can take time — can help.