Binge eating disorder (BED) is a type of feeding and eating disorder that’s now recognized as an official diagnosis. It affects almost 2% of people worldwide and can cause additional health issues linked to diets, such as high cholesterol levels and diabetes.
Feeding and eating disorders are not about food alone, which is why they’re recognized as psychiatric disorders. People typically develop them as a way of dealing with a deeper issue or another psychological condition, such as anxiety or depression.
This article looks at the symptoms, causes, and health risks of binge eating disorder, as well as how to get help and support to overcome it.
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What is binge eating disorder, and what are the symptoms?
People with binge eating disorder may eat a lot of food in a short amount of time, even if they aren’t hungry. Emotional stress or destress often plays a role and might trigger a period of binge eating.
A person might feel a sense of release or relief during a binge but experience feelings of shame or loss of control afterward.
For a healthcare professional to diagnose binge eating disorder, three or more of the following symptoms must be present:
- eating much more rapidly than normal
- eating until uncomfortably full
- eating large amounts without feeling hungry
- eating alone due to feelings of embarrassment and shame
- feelings of guilt or disgust with oneself
People with binge eating disorder often experience feelings of extreme unhappiness and distress about their overeating, body shape, and weight.
Summary: Binge eating disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of uncontrolled intake of unusually large amounts of food in a short period. These episodes are accompanied by feelings of guilt, shame, and psychological distress.
What causes binge eating disorder?
The causes of binge eating disorder are not well understood but likely due to a variety of risk factors, including:
- Genetics. People with BED may have increased sensitivity to dopamine, a chemical in the brain that’s responsible for feelings of reward and pleasure. There is also strong evidence that the disorder is inherited.
- Gender. BED is more common in women than in men. In the United States, 3.6% of women experience BED at some point in their lives, compared with 2.0% of men. This may be due to underlying biological factors.
- Changes in the brain. There are indications that people with BED may have changes in brain structure that result in a heightened response to food and less self-control.
- Body size. Almost 50% of people with BED have obesity, and 25–50% of patients seeking weight loss surgery meet the criteria for BED. Weight problems may be both a cause and result of the disorder.
- Body image. People with BED often have a very negative body image. Body dissatisfaction, dieting, and overeating contribute to the development of the disorder.
- Binge eating. Those affected often report a history of binge eating as the first symptom of the disorder. This includes binge eating in childhood and the teenage years.
- Emotional trauma. Stressful life events, such as abuse, death, separation from a family member, or a car accident, are risk factors. Childhood bullying due to weight may also contribute.
- Other psychological conditions. Almost 80% of people with BED have at least one other psychological disorder, such as phobias, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, anxiety, or substance abuse.
An episode of binge eating can be triggered by stress, dieting, negative feelings relating to body weight or body shape, the availability of food, or boredom.
Summary: The causes of BED are not fully known. As with other eating disorders, a variety of genetic, environmental, social, and psychological risks are associated with its development.
How is binge eating disorder diagnosed?
While some people may occasionally overeat, such as at Thanksgiving or a party, it does not mean they have BED, despite having experienced some of the symptoms listed above.
BED typically starts in the late teens to early twenties, although it can occur at any age. People generally need support to help overcome BED and develop a healthy relationship with food. If left untreated, BED can last for many years.
To be diagnosed, a person must have had at least one binge eating episode per week for a minimum of three months.
The severity ranges from mild, which is characterized by one to three binge eating episodes per week, to an extreme, which is characterized by 14 or more episodes per week.
Another important characteristic is not taking action to “undo” a binge. This means that, unlike bulimia, a person with BED does not throw up, take laxatives, or over-exercise to try and counteract a binging episode.
Like other eating disorders, it’s more common in women than men. However, it’s more common among men than other types of eating disorders.
What are the health risks?
BED is associated with several significant physical, emotional, and social health risks.
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Up to 50% of people with BED have obesity. However, the disorder is also an independent risk factor for gaining weight and developing obesity. This is due to the increased calorie intake during binging episodes.
On its own, obesity increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
However, some studies have found that people with BED have an even greater risk of developing these health problems, compared with people with obesity of the same weight who don’t have BED.
Other health risks associated with BED include sleep problems, chronic pain conditions, asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
In women, the condition is associated with a risk of fertility problems, pregnancy complications, and the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Research has shown that people with BED report challenges with social interactions, compared with people without the condition.
Additionally, people with BED have a high rate of hospitalization, outpatient care, and emergency department visits, compared with those who don’t have a feeding or eating disorder.
Although these health risks are significant, there are several effective treatments for BED.
Summary: BED is linked to an increased risk of weight gain and obesity, as well as associated diseases like diabetes and heart disease. There are also other health risks, including sleep problems, chronic pain, mental health problems, and reduced quality of life.
What are the treatment options for binge eating disorder?
The treatment plan for BED depends on the causes and severity of the eating disorder, as well as individual goals.
Treatment may target binge eating behaviors, excess weight, body image, mental health issues, or a combination of these.
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Therapy options include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, dialectical behavior therapy, weight loss therapy, and medication. These may be carried out on a one-to-one basis, in a group setting, or a self-help format.
In some people, just one type of therapy may be required, while others may need to try different combinations until they find the right fit.
A medical or mental health professional can provide advice on selecting an individual treatment plan.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for BED focuses on analyzing the relationships between negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to eating, body shape, and weight.
Once the causes of negative emotions and patterns have been identified, strategies can be developed to help people change them.
Specific interventions include setting goals, self-monitoring, achieving regular meal patterns, changing thoughts about self and weight, and encouraging healthy weight-control habits.
Therapist-led CBT has been demonstrated to be the most effective treatment for people with BED. One study found that after 20 sessions of CBT, 79% of participants were no longer binge eating, with 59% of them still successful after one year.
Alternatively, guided self-help CBT is another option. In this format, participants are usually given a manual to work through on their own, along with the opportunity to attend some additional meetings with a therapist to help guide them and set goals.
The self-help form of therapy is often cheaper and more accessible, and there are websites and mobile apps that offer support. Self-help CBT is an effective alternative to traditional CBT.
Summary: CBT focuses on identifying the negative feelings and behaviors that cause binge eating and helps put strategies in place to improve them. It is the most effective BED treatment and may be done with a therapist or in a self-help format.
Interpersonal psychotherapy
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is based on the idea that binge eating is a coping mechanism for unresolved personal problems such as grief, relationship conflicts, significant life changes, or underlying social problems.
The goal is to identify the specific problem linked to the negative eating behavior, acknowledge it, and then make constructive changes over 12–16 weeks.
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Therapy may either be in a group format or on a one-to-one basis with a trained therapist, and it may sometimes be combined with CBT.
There is strong evidence that this type of therapy has both short- and long-term positive effects on reducing binge eating behavior. It is the only other therapy with long-term outcomes as good as CBT.
It may be particularly effective for people with more severe forms of binge eating and those with lower self-esteem.
Summary: IPT views binge eating as a coping mechanism for underlying personal problems. It addresses binge eating behaviors by acknowledging and treating those underlying problems. It is a successful therapy, particularly for severe cases.
Dialectical behavior therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) views binge eating as an emotional reaction to negative experiences that the person has no other way of coping with.
It teaches people to regulate their emotional responses so that they can cope with negative situations in daily life without binging.
The four key areas of treatment in DBT are mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
A study including 44 women with BED who underwent DBT showed that 89% of them stopped binge eating by the end of therapy, although this dropped to 56% by the 6-month follow-up.
However, there is limited information on the long-term effectiveness of DBT and how it compares with CBT and IPT.
While research on this treatment is promising, more studies are needed to determine if it could be applied to all people with BED.
Summary: DBT sees binge eating as a response to negative experiences in daily life. It uses techniques like mindfulness and the regulation of emotions to help people cope better and stop binging. It is unclear if it is effective in the long term.
Weight loss therapy
Behavioral weight loss therapy aims to help people lose weight, which may reduce binge eating behavior by improving self-esteem and body image.
The intent is to make gradual healthy lifestyle changes in regards to diet and exercise, as well as monitor food intake and thoughts about food throughout the day. Weight loss of about 1 pound (0.5 kg) per week is expected.
While weight loss therapy may help improve body image and reduce weight and the health risks associated with obesity, it is not as effective as CBT or IPT at stopping binge eating.
As with regular weight loss treatment for obesity, behavioral weight loss therapy has been shown to help people achieve only short-term, moderate weight loss.
However, it may still be a good option for people who were not successful with other therapies or are primarily interested in losing weight.
Summary: Weight loss therapy aims to improve binge eating symptoms by reducing weight in hopes that this will improve body image. It is not as successful as CBT or interpersonal therapy, but it may be useful for some individuals.
Medications
Several medications have been found to treat binge eating and are often cheaper and faster than traditional therapy.
However, no current medications are as effective at treating BED as behavioral therapies.
Available treatments include antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs like topiramate, and drugs traditionally used for hyperactive disorders, such as lisdexamfetamine.
Research has found that medications have an advantage over a placebo for the short-term reduction of binge eating. Medications have been shown to be 48.7% effective, while placebos have been shown to be 28.5% effective.
They may also reduce appetite, obsessions, compulsions, and symptoms of depression.
Although these effects sound promising, most studies have been conducted over short periods, so data on the long-term effects are still needed.
In addition, side effects of treatment may include headaches, stomach problems, sleep disturbances, increased blood pressure, and anxiety.
Because many people with BED have other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, they may also receive additional medications to treat these.
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Summary: Medications may help improve binge eating in the short term. However, long-term studies are needed. Medications are generally not as effective as behavioral therapies and can have side effects.
How to overcome binge eating
The first step in overcoming binge eating is speaking to a medical professional. This person can help with a diagnosis, determine the severity of the disorder, and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
In general, the most effective treatment is CBT, but a range of treatments exists. Depending on individual circumstances, just one therapy or a combination may work best.
No matter which treatment strategy is used, it is important to also make healthy lifestyle and diet choices when possible.
Here are some additional helpful strategies:
- Keep a food and mood diary. Identifying personal triggers is an important step in learning how to control binge impulses.
- Practice mindfulness. This can help increase awareness of binging triggers while helping increase self-control and maintain self-acceptance.
- Find someone to talk to. It is important to have support, whether it is through a partner, family, a friend, binge eating support groups, or online.
- Choose healthy foods. A diet consisting of foods high in protein and healthy fats, regular meals, and whole foods will help satisfy hunger and provide needed nutrients.
- Start exercising. Exercise can help enhance weight loss, improve body image, reduce anxiety symptoms, and boost mood.
- Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep is associated with higher calorie intake and irregular eating patterns. It’s recommended to get at least 7–8 hours of good sleep per night.
Summary: CBT and IPT are the best treatment options for BED. Other strategies include keeping a food and mood diary, practicing mindfulness, finding support, choosing healthy foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep.
Summary
Binge eating disorder is a common feeding and eating disorder that, if not treated, can seriously affect a person’s health.
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It’s characterized by repeated, uncontrolled episodes of eating large amounts of food and is often accompanied by feelings of shame and guilt.
It can have negative effects on overall health, body weight, self-esteem, and mental health.
Fortunately, very effective treatments are available for BED, including CBT and IPT. Many healthy lifestyle strategies can be incorporated into everyday life.
The first step in overcoming BED is to ask for help from a medical professional.
