What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder where the person has recurring episodes of binge eating. Binge eating is when someone eats much more than most people would in a short period of time, whether they are hungry or not, and feels guilty or ashamed. The eating occurs at least 1 day a week for 3 months. The binge eating is not associated with behaviors to control one’s weight such as self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diuretics, enemas, fasting or excessive exercise. With treatment, people with binge eating disorder can get better.
What are the signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder?
Although struggles with eating can look different for each person, binge eating disorder has some common signs and symptoms.
Behavioural signs
- eating very quickly
- feeling out of control with eating
- eating even if full, sometimes until uncomfortably or painfully full
- eating separately from the family or in secret (sometimes in the middle of the night) due to embarrassment about what or how much is being eaten
- feeling disgusted with oneself, guilty and depressed, especially about eating patterns
- avoiding social situations, especially those involving eating
Physical signs
The main physical sign of binge eating disorder is significant changes in weight (up or down).
Given the difficulties a person may have with eating, binge eating disorder can lead to problems at school, in close relationships and in social situations, especially if they involve eating.
Who is affected by binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder most commonly starts in a person's late teens or early adulthood. It can follow a period of extreme dieting or weight loss. About two to three in 100 teens and young adults struggle with binge eating disorder.
Mental health conditions that often occur with binge eating disorder include:
What if I think I may have binge eating disorder?
- Tell someone. Tell a trusted adult such as a parent, caregiver, teacher, coach or therapist. Explain your concerns and ask for their help.
- Don’t feel alone. It can be hard to tell someone about your eating disorder thoughts and behaviors. You might be concerned about how they will react. However, it can help to have an open honest conversation about your eating disorder with those you trust. It will help you feel less alone.
- Get help early. It is important for you to see your health-care provider as soon as possible. Your health-care provider can help to determine whether you have an eating disorder and can also assess how serious the situation is. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the quicker you can start treatment, and the better chance for recovery.
- have any symptoms of binge-eating disorder
- are worried you might have binge eating disorder or another eating disorder
- have out-of-control eating episodes or binges
What will a health-care provider do during an assessment for binge eating disorder?
A health-care provider will do a complete history (medical, nutritional and psychosocial history) and a thorough physical examination including:
- measuring weight and height (plotting measurement on a growth curve)
- taking lying and standing blood pressure and heart rate
- taking oral temperature
- assessing pubertal growth development
They may also do some initial tests including blood and urine tests to determine if there are abnormalities and an electrocardiogram to check how the heart is functioning.
How is binge eating disorder treated?
If the health-care provider determines that a person has binge eating disorder, they will arrange for appropriate care. Eating disorder care is usually done with multiple health-care professionals including paediatrician or adolescent medicine doctor or family doctor or nurse practitioner, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers who specialize in treating children and teens with eating disorders. and social workers who specialize in treating children and teens with eating disorders.
Most adolescents with binge eating disorders can be treated as an outpatient. This can be done in an outpatient clinic or in a specialized eating disorder program.
The main goals of treatment for binge eating disorder are to:
- reduce the binges
- address the emotions that occur with or just before a binge
- help the adolescent eat regularly
- help the adolescent feel more in control of their eating
Binge eating disorder is most commonly treated with a therapy called cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT involves working with a therapist and addressing relationships among thought, feelings and behaviors. Sometimes the therapy will also involve the patient’s family, as they can help the patient regulate their eating and offer support.
If you are experiencing depression or anxiety in addition to binge eating disorder, your health-care team may suggest other treatments for those mental health disorders. Sometimes your health-care team may also suggest medication. Antidepressants can help with depression or anxiety and can sometimes also help with urges to binge.
Is there any way to decrease the risk for developing binge eating disorder?
The best way to decrease the risk for developing binge eating disorder is to make sure you are eating a variety of foods regularly. Dieting or restricting calories can trigger an urge to binge eat.
NEDIC – National Eating Disorder Information Centre (Canada)
NEDA – National Eating Disorder Association (United States)
B-EAT – Beating Eating Disorders (United Kingdom)
Kelty Eating Disorders (Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, BC Children's Hospital)
ANAD - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (United States)
