Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a widely misunderstood mental disorder — despite the fact that it affects millions of Americans. This illness, which involves frequent episodes of overeating marked by distress and lack of control, has long been underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating goes beyond feeling “stuffed” or overeating on occasion. With binge eating disorder, binges become a regular occurrence, feel out of control and are followed by distress, shame and embarrassment.
Symptoms and Signs of Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by frequent overeating (bingeing) – at least once a week over a period of three months. These binge episodes are also combined with feeling a lack of control, intense feelings of distress and three or more of the following behaviors:
Symptoms and Signs
Eating more rapidly than normal
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
Eating large amounts of food even when not feeling physically hungry
Eating alone because of feelings of embarrassment stemming from how much one eats
Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed or guilty after eating
What causes binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is caused by a complex combination of genetic, psychological and sociocultural factors.
8 percent of American adults suffer from binge eating disorder
In addition to understanding the causes and symptoms of binge eating disorder (BED), it’s also helpful to understand the facts and statistics:
- 8 percent of American adults suffer from binge eating disorder in their lifetime.
- Approximately half of the risk for BED is genetic.
- Nearly half of BED patients have a comorbid mood disorder.
- More than half of BED patients have comorbid anxiety disorders.
How is Binge Eating Treated?
You can recover from binge eating disorder — with the right help! The specialized binge eating disorder treatment team at Eating Recovery Center works closely with diverse individuals to understand how each person has unique biological, psychological and social factors that contribute to their illness.
A full and lasting recovery from binge eating is possible
The Eating Recovery Center is the nation's only health care system dedicated to the treatment of binge eating disorder at all levels of care, including inpatient treatment, residential treatment, partial hospitalization treatment and intensive outpatient treatment.
How to stop binge eating
If you have binge eating disorder, it does not mean you lack self-control. It just means that you have an illness that requires specialized therapeutic care. There is no shame in having binge eating disorder and there is no shame in seeking professional help.
At Eating Recovery Center, we offer treatment programs dedicated to binge eating disorder and related issues. Please call us at 877-825-8584 to speak confidentially with one of our Master's level clinicians. The call is free. We can help you understand your treatment options and what to expect during the healing process.
