What Is Binge Eating?
Some eating patterns can be unhealthy due to the mental health challenges behind them. Binge eating can have compulsive roots, meaning it may be difficult for those who eat in binges to feel in control of their behavior. Understanding this pattern and whether it indicates binge eating disorder can be beneficial if you believe you or someone you love might be living with an eating disorder.
What is binge eating?
Binge eating is a behavioral pattern of eating large quantities of food past the point that you are full. It can mean eating many snacks when stressed or eating several extensive meals daily. It does not mean failing at a diet or giving in to cravings for sweets or salty snacks.
Often, binge eating is prompted by an emotional challenge like stress or sadness. However, people can binge eat for any reason, and some people may binge eat on the holidays to try as many delicious foods as possible. When temporarily or occasionally, binge eating may not indicate an unhealthy pattern.
What’s the difference between binge eating disorder and binge eating in general?
Some people might binge eat or overeat periodically at a special event or a holiday like Thanksgiving, but binge eating disorder is different. If you binge at least once a week for three months, you might have binge eating disorder. This condition is a serious mental health condition that can cause emotional and physical distress.
Possible causes of binge eating disorder
Various factors and events can cause binge eating disorder. However, genetics, low self-esteem, and a history of dieting are thought to be the most common.
Genetics and family history
Binge eating disorder may occur due to inheriting specific genes that make you more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder. However, the genetics behind eating disorders are still being studied.
Low self-esteem and unrealistic body standards
Binge eating disorder can also result from efforts to reduce societal pressures. In the past, the fashion and entertainment industries played a significant part in setting unrealistic body standards. They still play a significant role, but social media significantly exacerbates this problem. Traumatic experiences, such as sexual abuse, can also cause an eating disorder to develop.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
If you are facing or witnessing abuse of any kind, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 for support. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788. You can also use the online chat.
Past attempts to diet
Past attempts to diet or restrict food may cause some people to develop binge eating habits out of wanting to eat as much as possible to avoid going hungry. People may feel they have lost control over their behaviors but don’t know how to stop.
Common symptoms of binge eating disorder
To be officially diagnosed with binge eating disorder, a person must show at least three of the following symptoms:
- Eating more rapidly than normal
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
- Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry
- Eating alone due to embarrassment about how much one is eating
- Thoughts of disgust toward oneself
- Depression or guilt after eating
- Experiencing at least one binging episode a week for three months
People who overeat for special occasions like birthdays or Thanksgiving may experience these symptoms temporarily. However, this factor doesn’t mean they’re living with an eating disorder. For this reason, going through at least one binging episode a week over a prolonged period plays a crucial role in the diagnosis.
Mental health disorders that can accompany binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder can accompany other mental health conditions. Statistics show that 55% to 65% of people with binge eating disorder are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and about 33% with major depressive disorder. Some individuals with eating disorders also struggle with self-harm and substance use.
If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources.
Other health concerns
Binge eating disorder can lead to other health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer. They may also experience digestive issues, joint and muscle pain, and headaches.
Treatments for binge eating disorder
If you or a loved one is struggling with a binge eating disorder, several treatment options are available. You can find a specialist through an online directory offered by the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) or by receiving a referral from your primary care physician.
Treatment may include psychotherapy to help you cope with the thoughts and feelings contributing to the disorder and any underlying mental health challenges. Common types of therapy used to treat binge eating disorders include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). Your doctor may also refer you to a nutritionist or prescribe medication to help with binge eating or treat other contributing factors.
How to ask for support
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing the symptoms of a binge eating disorder. They may recommend therapy as part of your treatment plan. If you struggle to connect with an in-person therapist due to cost or other factors, you can also try online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp.
Online therapy can have several benefits. If anxiety and depression contribute to your symptoms, you may not feel comfortable meeting with a therapist face-to-face. It can be challenging to motivate yourself when you are experiencing depression or anxiety, but being able to talk to someone from the comfort of your own home may remove some of the roadblocks and make it easier to begin treatment.
Research shows that online therapy effectively treats anxiety and depression, two conditions statistically likely to appear alongside binge eating disorder. Studies found “significant and clinically meaningful improvements in depression and anxiety scores” at 12 weeks post-treatment that were sustained for six months.
Takeaway
What is the meaning of binge eating?
As defined by the American Psychological Association, binge eating involves two key elements:
- Consuming unusually large amounts of food in a short time span, generally much more than is needed to feel full.
- A feeling that your eating behavior is out of your control. For example, you might feel that you can’t stop eating or that it’s impossible to keep yourself from eating unhealthy foods.
When binge eating occurs frequently, especially if it interferes with life goals or everyday functioning, it can indicate that a person has binge eating disorder (BED). According to the criteria laid out in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), mental health professionals can diagnose binge eating disorder if a person exhibits at least one binge eating episode per week for three months or more.
Statistics from the National Institutes of Health indicate that BED is the most common eating disorder. It’s distinguished from bulimia nervosa (which can also involve binges) by the lack of compensatory “purging” behaviors intended to achieve weight loss, such as:
- Deliberately inducing vomiting
- Exercising excessively
- Misusing laxatives and diuretics
- Fasting following binge eating episodes
What does binge look like?
Binges may not look the same for everyone. Some people may binge by eating excessive amounts of fast food. Others might have one particular “comfort food” that they consume in unhealthy quantities during an episode. Sometimes binging may involve simply eating whatever is readily available until the individual is physically unable to continue.
One common characteristic of binges is secrecy. People with binge eating disorder often feel a sense of shame about their eating behavior and may make a considerable effort to conceal it from others. They’ll often eat alone and throw out or otherwise hide the wrappers and other evidence of what they’ve consumed. This secretiveness may extend to everyday eating, not just binges.
Why do most people binge eat?
Developing binge eating disorder may involve several overlapping causes, and the precise reasons for this behavior may not be the same for everyone. Research suggests that the following factors may be important drivers of BED and other eating disorders:
- Low self-esteem
- Experiencing abuse in childhood
- Neurological impairments in reward processing and impulse control
- Perfectionism and a tendency toward negative emotions
- Depression
- Social difficulties
For people wrestling with these types of challenges, overeating or consuming unhealthy but tasty foods may be an attempt to soothe their negative emotions or distract themselves from other sources of distress. Many people experience food as a source of comfort early in life, and binge eating might arise from a desire to reach for that comfort in times of trouble.
What age group are most likely to binge eat?
Among all age groups, teens aged 13-18 appear to be most likely to develop binge eating disorder. However, it can also affect substantial numbers of young adults and middle-aged individuals.
Other demographic factors may not significantly affect the prevalence of this condition. For example, one study found that binge eating disorder diagnosed in young women appeared to be about equally common across racial and ethnic groups. On the other hand, childhood obesity may be a risk factor for this condition.
What is a binge in simple terms?
Put simply, a binge is when someone eats an unusual amount of food in a very short time. A person engaged in a binge will often feel like they can’t stop eating. In many cases, binges focus on foods that are tasty but unhealthy, such as candy or fried food.
The exact time frame of a binge can vary between individuals. Some may eat rapidly until they are too full to continue, while others might eat an excessive amount over a few hours or in a single night.
How many calories is the average binge?
One common question among people learning about eating disorders is “How is binge eating defined in terms of calories?” Giving a precise answer may not be easy, since the amount of eating that could be considered “unusual” may vary quite a bit depending on the type of food consumed.
Some studies have found that people with BED commonly ingest around 1,500-3,000 food calories in a single binge. However, many episodes of disordered eating can involve foods usually consumed in quite small amounts, such as candy bars.
In these cases, the caloric content of a binge may be considerably lower while still involving excessive consumption and a loss of control. Many treatment providers and researchers use a “rule of thumb” in which a single meal of 1,000 food calories or more can be considered a binge.
Why do I eat so much at night time?
A tendency to overeat more at night may have several contributing causes. The explanation may be partly biological — a 2013 study reported that the human circadian rhythm appears to naturally increase the desire for sweet and starchy foods in the evening.
This inherent tendency might be exacerbated by psychological factors such as stress and willpower depletion. Someone who’s been dealing with a variety of stressful challenges all day may feel an urge to relax and seek comfort at night. As a result, many people might wind up frequently eating more than intended during the evening hours.
There may also be an association between food consumption and the tendency to consume entertainment at night. For example, some studies have found that eating while watching repetitive TV tends to increase food intake. “Binge-watching” shows at night might contribute to nighttime binge eating as well.
Why is it called binge?
The term “binge”, meaning an excessive, uncontrolled bout of consumption (especially of alcohol or food) appears to date back to the mid-1800s. It may have originated from a term meaning the act of soaking a wooden container until it swelled up. This action may have come to refer to overeating or drinking heavily because of its associations with filling, saturating, and weight gain.
What counts as binging a show?
There’s not currently a universally accepted standard for what constitutes “binge-watching” a TV or web series. Your own experience of viewing behavior may be more relevant than the specific number of episodes viewed or the length of time you spend watching. If you feel like you’re having trouble turning off the show or limiting your viewing time, or if your viewing session winds up getting in the way of something else you wanted to do, this could be considered a binge.
Why do people overeat?
There may be many possible reasons for overeating behavior. For some people, eating more than necessary might be an attempt to stabilize their mood, comfort themselves during periods of sadness, or cope with stress. In other cases, overeating might be a result of improper habits developed earlier in life, along with an inadequate understanding of nutritional needs.
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse early in life may also be linked to a tendency toward excessive eating. Many researchers believe that it could be easier to effectively treat binge eating disorder through an integrated approach that also addresses underlying trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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