Resource CenterWhat Is Binge-Eating Disorder and How Do I Get Help for It?

What Is Binge-Eating Disorder and How Do I Get Help for It?

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By Lauren Krouse

Binge-eating disorder is often misunderstood or goes undiagnosed. It was only recognized as a stand-alone eating disorder in 2013 when it was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, the handbook health care professionals use to diagnose mental health disorders.

Binge eating means you eat an unusually large amount of food in a short period of time, such as a few hours. If you have binge-eating disorder, you may also eat in secret and experience a lot of shame.

Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder, affecting as many as 3% of people. It’s a serious condition that impacts your physical and emotional health. Treatment and recovery from binge-eating disorder is possible with professional help and support.

Here are some things you should know and information about how to get help if you think you or someone you know may be living with binge-eating disorder.

Watch: The REAL Cause of Binge Eating Disorder

Who Can Develop Binge Eating Disorder?

Anyone can develop binge-eating disorder, no matter your body size, weight, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, or background. Symptoms often first show up in your late teens or early 20s, but you can also develop binge-eating disorder earlier or later in life.

A few facts about binge-eating disorder:

People living with binge-eating disorder are 3-6 times more likely to be a higher weight than people without an eating disorder. Still, anyone of any body size can develop the disorder and not all overweight people have binge eating disorder.
Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American, and Asian American individuals are more likely to engage in disordered eating behaviors than their white peers.

What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?

We don’t yet know exactly what causes binge-eating disorder, but researchers have discovered many things that may play a role:

Family history and genetics, such as having a parent or sibling who has binge-eating disorder.
Dieting is associated with eating disorder behaviors and eating disorder psychopathology in adolescents
Brain chemistry. There is evidence to suggest that dopamine plays a role in binge eating.
Personality traits such as perfectionism and a strong drive to avoid harm.
Feeling negative about yourself or your body image.
Trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Puberty.
Being bullied or teased about appearance is associated with binge eating disorder.
Food insecurity, or not knowing when you will eat again, has been linked to a higher risk of binge eating disorder

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder?

The main thing to look out for is a pattern of extreme overeating in distinct periods of time. One key difference between binge eating and overeating is the strong sensation that you cannot control yourself or stop, and the cycle repeats itself weekly or even more frequently. You may also:

Eat much faster than usual
Eat until you’re uncomfortably full
Eat large amounts of food despite not feeling hungry
Eat alone out of embarrassment
Feel disgusted with yourself, depressed, or guilty after eating

People with binge-eating disorder often do a lot to conceal their struggles and keep their disordered eating a secret, but there are some signs you can look out for:

Being sensitive to comments about weight, body shape, and food
Feeling distress about binge eating
Preoccupation with body weight and shape
Use eating to cope with or distract from challenging emotions
Avoidance or discomfort around eating with others or in public
Stealing, hoarding, and hiding food
Rituals around food
Frequent dieting
Pulling away from loved ones and activities that used to bring pleasure
Sudden disappearance of large amounts of food
Secretive habits such as hiding food wrappers and containers

Binge-eating disorder can also cause serious physical health consequences. Over time, people struggling with binge-eating disorder are at risk for developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, joint and muscle harm, kidney problems, and chronic problems with the digestive system. Other mental health difficulties associated with binge eating disorder include depression, anxiety, and substance use.

Some studies also suggest young people with binge-eating disorder may be prone to suicide and intentional self-harm.

How to Get Help for Binge Eating Disorder

If binge eating is causing distress and interfering with your life, but you cannot stop — or if this is happening to someone you care about — now is the time to reach out for the support you need and deserve.

Learn how to start the conversation with a loved one or how to ask for help. Recovery from binge eating disorder is possible. Though you may feel shame about your problem, you deserve care and compassion. With treatment, you can overcome feeling out of control about your eating.

To get support and resources for yourself or a loved one who may have binge eating disorder, contact the National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline, which is run by licensed therapists who specialize in eating disorders.

Call 866-662-1235 or email info@allianceforeatingdisorders.com to get referrals to all levels of care. The helpline is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. If help is not immediately available, your call will be returned as soon as possible.

If you or someone you know needs help:

Text HEALING to 741-741 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day.
Text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.org.
If this is a medical emergency or there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.