Parent Resources

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorderis characterized by an often secretive cycle of binge eating.

Primary Features:

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by eating a large amount of food and feeling out of control while eating (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eat ing).
• The binge eating episodes are characterized by at least 3 of the following:
• Eating much more rapidly than normal
• Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
• Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
• Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
• Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating.
• The person is distressed by his or her binge eating.

Associated Features:

Physical Characteristics:

• Possible weight gain and/or obesity
• Abdominal pain; stomach upset
• Weight fluctuations due to experimentation with various diet plans
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Fatigue

Behavioral Characteristics:

• Binge eating
• Trying numerous diet plans
• Secretive eating
• Intense food cravings
• Eating very small portions in public

Emotional and Attitudinal Characteristics:

• Tendency to binge when experiencing negative emotions (e.g., anger, boredom)
• Feels of disgust, depression, and/or guilt after bingeing
• Chronic, mild depressive and/or anxiety symptoms (at times, symptoms may worsen)
• Tendency to be overly focused on other’s struggles (often in the role of "rescuer," "peacemaker" or "people-pleaser")
• Difficulty identifying and expressing negative emotions (e.g., anger)
• Preoccupation with body weight and shape
• Dissatisfaction with body size
• Low self-esteem; self-loathing
• Attributes failures to size & fantasizes about rewards of thinness