Binge eating disorder

BED is one of the most prevalent eating disorders
Frequent and recurrent binge eating episodes + Associated negative psychosocial problems, without the compensatory behaviors
In contrast Bulimia nervosa, OSFED, or Anorexia nervosa has compensatory behaviors.

Binge eating (Uncontrollable eating) is the core symptom of BED, however, not everyone who binge eats has BED.
An individual may occasionally binge eat without experiencing many of the negative physical, psychological, or social effects of BED including:
- Eating much faster than normal
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
- Eating a large amount when not hungry
- Subjective loss of control over how much or what is eaten
- Binges may be planned in advance, involving the purchase of special binge foods, and the allocation of specific time for binging, sometimes at night
- Eating alone or secretly due to embarrassment over the amount of food consumed
- There may be a dazed mental state during the binge
- Not being able to remember what was eaten after the binge
- Feelings of guilt, shame or disgust following a food binge
- Body image disturbance

Unlike bulimia nervosa, BED is not followed by Compulsivity
Those activities intended to compensate for the amount of food consumed, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or enema misuse, or strenuous exercise.
Individuals who are diagnosed with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder exhibit similar patterns of compulsive overeating, neurobiological features of dysfunctional cognitive control and food addiction, and biological and environmental risk factors.
Some professionals consider BED to be a milder form of bulimia with the two conditions on the same spectrum.

BED is characterized more by overeating than dietary restriction.
BED patients often have poor body image and frequently unsuccessful diets.
Obesity is common in persons with BED, as is depression, low self-esteem, stress and boredom.
They also have risk of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, menstrual irregularities such as amenorrhea, and GI problems such as acid reflux and heartburn.

BED is an "expressive disorder"—a disorder that is an expression of deeper psychological problems.
BEDs have higher weight bias internalization, which includes low self-esteem, unhealthy eating patterns, and general body dissatisfaction.
BED is a side effect of depression, as it is common for people to turn to comfort foods when they are feeling down.

Contents