Binge eating disorder, is not as well known as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa but still affects lots of people. Binge eating is when a person eats large amounts of food in one go, and feels out of control and unable to stop. It can be a symptom of the other eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. The difference is that people with binge eating disorder do not vomit or use laxatives or starve themselves in between binges to compensate for the extra food they have eaten, and so are very likely to gain weight.

What causes binge eating disorder and who can get it?

As with other eating disorders there is no single cause of binge eating disorder and it can affect anyone, although it is more likely to affect girls and women.

Most experts believe that it takes a combination of things to develop an eating disorder such as binge eating. Your genes, emotions, and behaviors, such as eating patterns that you learn whilst you are growing up, can all play a part.

Binge eating is very closely related to your emotions and how you are feeling. People that binge eat often suffer from depression too and use food to comfort themselves when they are feeling down or unhappy.

It is believed that some people may be more prone to overeating for biological reasons. The part of the brain that controls their appetite (the hypothalamus) and what they eat may fail to send proper messages about hunger and fullness. These ideas are still being investigated.

What are the signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder?

It's perfectly normal to overeat from time to time, most people do. And especially when you are still growing it’s perfectly natural to go through phases where you feel like eating more.

But binge eating is different from normal appetite increases or overeating from time to time. People with a binge eating problem eat unusually large amounts of food on a regular basis.

There are many characteristics of a binge eating session, such as eating an unusually large amount of food (for example, a whole packet of biscuits AND half a loaf of bread), eating the food quicker than usual, eating secretly in places where no-one is around, feeling full up but not stopping eating, eating foods that are seen as naughty such as chocolate and biscuits and feeling you cannot control your eating.

After an episode of binge eating you may wish you hadn’t done it and feel very guilty. It may make you upset and feel bad about yourself. You may even feel embarrassed and ashamed about your eating and feel you can’t talk about it.

Because people that binge eat overeat regularly they are usually overweight or obese but people of a healthy weight can also be affected.

How is binge eating disorder normally diagnosed and treated?

Many people with binge eating problems find it hard to reach out for help because they feel embarrassed about their over-eating. So seeing you have a problem and getting to a point where you’re asking – ‘What can I do to help myself? – is the first step to getting better.

You may prefer to get help on your own, but it can be easier and quicker to get better if you have the support of your family, in which case the whole family would be involved in treatment. You will probably be referred to see a counsellor or therapist who will be able to talk to you about how you are feeling and why you binge eat, and help you find ways of trying to stop. You will also probably be referred to see a dietician (nutrition expert) who will help you learn about the importance of eating regularly, healthy eating, portion sizes, metabolism (how your body turns food into energy), and exercise.

There are also self-help programmes and books aimed at helping people stop binge eating.
Together your doctors, psychologist or counsellor, and dietician can help you to get over an eating disorder.  They will put together an eating and exercise plan for you to help you to eat healthily and to feel better about yourself and your body. Between them they help you to manage your eating, weight, and feelings.

What’s going to help?

Sometimes it is hard to know what weight you should be. Have a look at our BMI (Body Mass Index) counter to find your ideal weight.

Opening up to someone can also really help, it's important to find someone who you can trust to talk to about your feelings. This may be a friend, your mum, your brother or sister or even a counsellor.
Finding a way to express your feelings, such as through music, art, dance, or writing, can sometimes help you to deal with difficult emotions in a healthy way.

Looking forward

There is no quick fix for binge eating disorder. Treatment can take a long time, months or longer while you learn a healthier approach to food. But if you want to get over it, with the right help and support you can have a healthier, happier life.

For more help and information

• Visit Anorexia & Bulimia Care or call their helpline on 01934 710336       
• The charity beat (formerly the Eating Disorders Association) have loads of resources. You can call the adult Helpline on 0845 634 1414 or the Youth Helpline on 0845 634 7650.
  The charity has also developed a booklet for young people on understanding recovery and taking steps towards it.     
• Young Minds provides information and advice on child mental health issues. You can ring on 0800 018 2138.

Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: 5 August 2008

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