Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder typically involves excessive food intake while feeling a loss of control with food. Binge eating behaviors may be used to soothe negative emotions, but the “comfort” it brings does not last. People with binge eating disorder often swing to the other extreme and begin highly restrictive diets, which often ends in bingeing again—and more negative feelings. It’s more than yo-yo dieting, however, it is an eating disorder.

To compound the situation, a diagnosis of binge eating disorder may be accompanied by other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Binge eating disorder may also contribute to physical conditions, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes. Binge eating disorder can affect anyone at any weight, size or shape, age, or gender.

The Emily Program understands the physical and emotional strain of binge eating disorder. We’re here to help with personalized treatment programs that free you or your loved one from its ravaging ups and downs, paving the way to a more peaceful relationship with food and self.

A combination of risk factors may contribute to binge eating, such as family history, genetics, dieting, related psychological conditions, and substance abuse, but no single factor causes binge eating. Some indications include:

• Repeated and frequent excessive food consumption without hunger
• Using food to cope with negative emotions, but feeling distressed, disgusted, guilty, or depressed instead
• No compensatory behaviors to “make up” for the calorie intake, such as purging or over-exercise
• Feelings of loss of control, self-loathing, depression, anxiety, and shame
• Insomnia, joint or muscle pain, and/or headaches
• Menstrual problems
• Suicidal thoughts

Read more about the physical effects of binge eating here.