Eating Disorders
- What is an Eating Disorder?
- Warning Signs
- Types of Eating Disorders
- Risk Factors
- Classifying Eating Disorders
- Disordered Eating
- Dieting
- Eating Disorders and Children
- Eating Disorders and Adolescents
- Eating Disorders and Males
- Eating Disorders and Older People
- If You Think You May Have an Eating Disorder
- Treatment Information
- For Health Professionals
- Eating Disorders and Other Health Problems
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
What is Binge Eating Disorder?Physical Effects
Psychological Effects
Behavioural Effects
Binge Eating Disorder is a psychological illness characterised by frequently eating excessive amounts of food, often when not hungry. Binges represent a distraction that allows a person to avoid thinking about the real root of their problems. Feelings of guilt, disgust and depression often follow a bingeing episode.
Binge Eating Disorder is similar to, but not the same as Bulimia Nervosa. Where people experiencing Bulimia Nervosa will partake in purging activities after bingeing, Binge Eating Disorder is characterised by an absence of purging, despite suffering similar feelings of intense guilt, shame and self-hatred after binges. While a lack of purging is evident, a person experiencing Binge Eating Disorder will often participate in sporadic fasts and repetitive diets in response to the negative sensations which follow a binge episode.
Binge Eating Disorder can affect anybody, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. In fact, research suggests equal percentages of males and females experience Binge Eating Disorder.
“People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity”.
- National Eating Disorders Association (NADA)
Last Updated: July 2009