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What is binge eating disorder? -

Binge eating disorder (BED) is when episodes of compulsive eating occur. Unlike other eating disorders, there is no compensatory behaviors (e.g. purging, like someone with bulimia would do).

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How common is it? -

Binge eating disorder is in fact quite a common disorder. In the US alone, it’s three times more common than both bulimia and anorexia combined.

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Symptoms -

BED is characterized by various episodes of eating where control cannot be exercised. Though the type of food, the duration, and frequency of the episodes vary, depending on the person.

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Symptoms -

During these episodes, individuals feel like they can’t exercise control, and they usually have feelings of guilt, disgust, embarrassment, and feel uncomfortably full.

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Diagnosis -

While binge eating episodes vary in frequency, a person is usually diagnosed with the disorder when they have at least one episode per week for a minimum of three months.

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Health complications associated with BED -

There is a wide range of both mental and physical issues associated with BED. These include a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension, sleep disorders, and gastrointestinal issues, among others.

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Health complications associated with BED -

Women with BED are also at risk of suffering from menstrual disorders, fertility issues, and pregnancy complications.

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Correlation with other mental health issues -

It’s estimated that 79% of people who suffer from BED have at least one other psychiatric disorder. These may include depression, anxiety, and personality disorders, among others.

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Who's affected by BED? -

BED can be triggered by a cocktail of factors, not only emotional, but also biological, environmental, and psychosocial.

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Who's affected by BED? -

Women are more affected than men, and the average age BED occurs is 23. It’s more common with people who have other mental health conditions. Women and girls who are chronic dieters are more likely to develop BED.

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Trauma can be a trigger -

Traumatic experiences, both emotional and physical, have been associated with episodes of binge eating.

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Trauma -

People who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or have suffered childhood abuse, may find comfort in eating and use it as an emotional coping mechanism.

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Psychological triggers -

Low self-esteem, for instance, has been shown to play a role in the development of binge eating episodes.

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Psychological triggers -

Those with unhealthy beliefs about food and eating (e.g. people who believe they can’t control how much they eat) are also at higher risk of developing the disorder.

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The impact of the pandemic -

There was a rise in binge eating (and other eating disorders) during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, especially during lockdowns.

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The impact of the pandemic -

Disruption of daily routines, uncertainty, loneliness, and fear all contributed to leave people more vulnerable to developing BED as a coping mechanism.

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Genetics -

Genetic factors must also be taken into account when it comes to developing BED. The metabolic, endocrine, and immune systems, as well as the microbiome and the brain, can influence the heritability of BED.

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Genetics -

Studies indicate that those genetically predisposed to obesity are also more likely to develop BED.

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Brain chemistry -

Studies have shown that people who binge eat have lower-than-normal levels of serotonin (a “feel-good” neurotransmitter in the brain).

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Brain chemistry -

The brain’s dopamine system is also key in the development of BED. The “reward” people get by binge eating, although temporary, is addictive and fulfilling. Low levels of dopamine are a strong-enough incentive for repeating the behavior.

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Are BED and food addiction the same? -

Some foods trigger certain chemicals in the brain (think sugar and fats)—that’s why people eat donuts and not lettuce.

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Are BED and food addiction the same? -

There are many similarities between the two, but ultimately one can still be addicted to a particular food and not binge on it.

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Treatment -

Because BED can have such a wide range of underlying factors and possible causes, a holistic approach is sometimes required. A staple would be some form of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

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Treatment -

Psychiatric assessment may also be required, and drugs such as antidepressants may be prescribed.

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Treatment -

The practice of mindfulness may also help those who suffer from BED. Mindful eating, for example, can help patients be more attuned with their bodies and impulses.

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Weight loss -

While not all people who suffer from BED are overweight, many do develop obesity, and as such should undertake the necessary steps to return to a healthier weight. This usually involves caloric restriction and an increase in physical activity.

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Weight loss -

Though some weight loss regimes may pose an even higher risk if they are too extreme when it comes to restrictions. This may even have the opposite effect, with people actually binge eating as a result.

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Is it possible to recover? -

It is important to address BED as soon as possible. As with other conditions, early detection increases the recovery success rate.

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Is it possible to recover? -

Taking care of our physical and mental health, and developing a healthy relationship with food, is of utmost importance for a happy, fulfilling life.

Sources: (Health Digest) (Europe PMC) (National Eating Disorders Association)

See also: Why are eating disorders so difficult to treat?

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