Binge Eating

Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurring episodes of excessive overeating, often rapidly, to the point of discomfort or pain. Individuals with binge eating disorder often struggle with controlling their eating habits and may be secretive about their eating. Episodes of binging often include eating more rapidly than normal, eating large amounts of food when not hungry, eating alone, and feelings of disgust or shame during or after bingeing. 

Symptoms of Binge eating disorder may include:

• Changes in body weight 
• Dressing in layers to disguise one’s body shape 
• Disappearance of food or hoarding food in secret 
• Guilt and anxiety surrounding eating or food 
• Buying lots of food
• Eating very rapidly
• Social withdrawal and isolation 
• Organizing life around bingeing episodes 
• Hoarding food 
• Mood swings
• Feelings of low self-esteem  

Binge eating disorder can contribute to a variety of health conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, fatigue, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea. Binge eating disorder has also been found to be related to anxiety , depression , bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders .