All of us have experienced overeating from time to time, but for individuals who binge, overeating is a regular occurrence. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by recurring episodes of compulsive overeating while feeling a loss of control and sense of powerlessness over stopping. The binge is often followed by intense feelings of shame, guilt and self-loathing. BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It is estimated that 30% to 40% of people seeking weight loss treatments suffer from BED. It is estimated that BED can last for approximately 14 years if left untreated. Unlike Bulimia, there are not any attempts to “undo” the binge through vomiting, excessive exercising, fasting or the use of laxatives or diet pills. Many people who struggle with BED are obese or overweight, but some are of average weight.
According to the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – V), Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by several behavioral and emotional signs:
Recurrent episodes of binge eating occurring at least once a week for three months
- Eating a larger amount of food than normal during a short time frame (any two-hour period)
- Experiencing a lack of control during the binge eating episode (feeling you can’t stop eating or control what or how much you are eating)
- The episodes of binging are associated with at least three of the following characteristics:
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
- Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry
- Eating more rapidly than normal
- Eating alone because of shame or embarrassment over amount eaten
- Feeling disgusted with oneself, ashamed, depressed or guilty after overeating