Binge Eating Disorder: The Symptoms And Why It’s Harmful

We’ve all probably been there. Had one cheeseburger too many, one extra helping of mashed potatoes and gravy, or gobbled down that rich dessert even when we were full to bursting. We've gone to bed feeling bloated, heavy, and unable to move – all telltale signs that we’ve eaten too much. Usually, it means a few hours of discomfort but doesn't have any lasting or sustained health impacts. 

However, when overeating becomes a daily issue, there may be cause for concern because it is no longer an isolated incident. Instead, it may be a disorder called binge eating disorder (BED).

What is binge eating disorder (BED)?

Again, binge eating should not be confused with occasionally have a large meal or simple overeating, two things most people tend to do occasionally. It is also not the same thing as bulimia, where the person overeats and immediately afterward gets rid of the food by throwing up or using a laxative.

Binge eating can turn into a vicious cycle because more often not, the binge eater will realize their eating habits are not appropriate or they'll find themselves gaining a lot of weight. They'll try to control their calorie intake by dieting or exercising. But in trying to reduce their calorie intake, the individual is left feeling hungry, which leads to an increase in binge eating.

When people binge eat, their actions are beyond their control. It is very much a real illness, and was officially included in the 2013 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-05) published by the American Psychiatric Association.

The severity of the disorder (ranging from mild to extreme) is based on how often and how many times the individual indulges in a bout of binge eating per week.

• Mild - 1 to 3 episodes
• Moderate - 4 to 7 episodes
• Severe - 8 to 13 episodes
• Extreme - 14 + episodes

Causes of BED

While research continues determining the exact cause of binge eating disorder, the development of the BED has similar characteristics to other eating disorders and is likely caused by a combination of the three following factors:

Psychology

Researchers have discovered a link between the BED and other mental health issues and disorders. Almost half the people who struggle with a BED also struggle with or have a history of other illnesses such as depression, anxiety, substance use disorder, bipolar disorder, etc. The negative feelings, emotions, and thoughts that are present with mental health issues can often trigger binge eating episodes. Binge eating is sometimes used as a coping method when an individual is going through a stressful period in life, experiencing anxiety, or struggling with unwanted emotions.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Environment

A person's environment, familial, and social influence might have an impact on the development of BED. For instance, if parents place an unhealthy emphasis on food by using it as a comfort mechanism or as a reward for good behavior, individuals may develop an unnatural attitude towards food and in turn develop the disorder.

Biology

It is not uncommon to see a history of eating disorders in a family, thus implying that the disorder may run in the family. Abnormal brain functionalities and irregularities in certain hormones and proteins (the ones that control appetite or blood sugar levels) may also play a part in the development of BED.

What are the symptoms of binge eating disorder?

BED may be at play if a few or more of the following binge eating disorder symptoms happen at least once a week over the course of several months. 

These symptoms include:

• Eating unusually large meals frequently
• Overeating until you are overfull
• Displaying an inability to control the amount and type of food being eaten
• Eating fast
• Uncontrollable eating even if you are not hungry
• Eating in secret or by themselves because they feel ashamed or embarrassed by their eating habits
• Experiencing guilt whenever they overeat
• Feeling disgusted by their eating habits but can't stop the behavior
• Extreme weight loss or gain
• Displaying symptoms of depression, low self-esteem, lack of confidence
• Yo-yo dieting

Long-term health effects of BED

While the occasional bout of overeating won't cause major issues, continued episodes of BED can lead to many serious health complications. The most common are the following.

Obesity

The majority (approximately two thirds) of the people who experience BED are also overweight and may suffer from obesity because they are consuming an unhealthy amount of food very quickly. They're eating more calories than they can burn, leading to weight gain.

Mood disorders

The weight gain and physical changes can, in turn, make them experience a range of emotions such as depression, stress, feelings of guilt or hopelessness, sadness, lack of energy, and others. To feel better, they binge eat, looking for comfort and an escape from their emotions, thus adding to the existing problem. When people don't seek treatment, this vicious cycle of eating and eating some more can quickly spiral out of control.

Diabetes

Binge eating increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a lifelong illness with no cure that must be treated on an ongoing basis. Binge eating then becomes even more dangerous because it's more difficult to control blood sugar levels.

Heart disease

Unhealthy weight gain or obesity places enormous stress on the heart because the organ must work extra hard to pump blood throughout the body. An excess of fat on the body also increases the risks of other heart-related problems like high blood pressure and cholesterol, to name a few. Symptoms of heart disease – like chest pain, numbness, or shortness of breath – should never be taken lightly as they could be a sign of a heart attack.

Diagnosing and treating BED

Providing a diagnosis for BED can be difficult and tricky since most people are not likely to admit they have an eating disorder and they may keep their habits a secret and hidden from loved ones. And it may be years before anyone realizes what's happening.

Sometimes the individual reaches a point where they admit they have a problem and voluntarily start to seek help. If you've reached a stage where you're questioning whether you have an eating disorder or not, talk to your doctor about your concerns. You can ask them to refer you to a professional who is equipped to handle eating disorders, or you can easily connect with a licensed therapist online through BetterHelp.

But people who binge eat often don’t ask for help. Their binge eating is a cry for help itself, and often, BED is only discovered and diagnosed if the individual goes to a doctor to treat a different illness or health condition. As you list out your symptoms or concerns, if the doctor suspects that BED may be a factor, they may go over your medical history and conduct a detailed physical examination. 

There is no sure method of testing for BED. However, the doctor may take some urine samples and blood tests to rule out other illnesses. Once your evaluation is complete, the doctor will discuss next steps with you, and at this point, a psychologist or psychiatrist experienced in eating disorders may be suggested since they're assessment tools and methods will provide you with an accurate diagnostic.

Online counseling for binge eating disorder

Once you receive a diagnosis of binge eating disorder, your doctor will explore the various treatment methods available to you. These may include a combination of medications, psychotherapy, and nutrition support. While there are medications that can help with binge eating, they are often stimulants and come with serious side effects, and sometimes can be habit-forming. Antidepressants have also been found to sometimes help with binge eating. One study found that there was strong evidence that a combination of psychotherapy, antidepressants, and medications for binge eating increased the ability to stop binge eating and improve other eating-related issues. 

Therapy for BED can be conducted in either individual or group sessions. Common types of therapy for binge eating disorder include cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). CBT is designed to help patients learn to better respond to negative feelings and provide more control over behaviors to help control overeating; DBT provides skills to better handle things like stress and control emotions, which can lead to binge eating.

While some eating disorders require inpatient care, depending on the severity, some can be treated as outpatient. In many cases, online therapy – such as through BetterHelp –  can be a viable option. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for bulimia. In fact, several studies have determined that online therapy is just as effective in most situations as in-person therapy, and it offers the advantage of added safety and convenience.