What Is Binge Eating Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, And Effects From An Eating Disorder Therapist In Raleigh, NC

Binge eating disorder is the second most common eating disorder in the United States according to the National Association for Eating Disorders. It affects people of all ages, ethnic groups, and genders. In fact, 40% of those impacted by binge eating disorders are men. While binge eating disorder can be a complex issue, there is hope for treatment and recovery.

There are distinct features that qualify someone for diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Below, you’ll learn more about the signs and symptoms of binge eating. Even if you or someone you love doesn’t meet all of these criteria, binge eating may still be part of your relationship with food. A “sub-clinical” diagnosis (or disordered eating that doesn’t totally match these signs and symptoms) is still worthy of care and can get better.

What is binge eating disorder characterized by?

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) diagnosis is characterized by several distinct features:

1. Frequency and quantity of food eaten.

   1. Eating a large amount of food in a short period, often within a couple of hours.

   2. Binge eating occurs on average at least once a week for three months or more.

2. Eating Behaviors:

   • Eating rapidly

   • Eating despite fullness

   • Eating alone

   • Eating until uncomfortably full

3. Emotional Distress:

   • Feelings of guilt and disgust

   • Feeling out of control

   • Depression and anxiety

4. Absence of Compensatory Behaviors:

   • Unlike bulimia nervosa, BED is not associated with regular use of compensatory behaviors to make up for eating such as purging, fasting, or excessive exercise.

5. Impaired Functioning:

   • Interference with Daily Life: Binge-eating episodes often interfere with daily activities, responsibilities, and relationships.

   • Amplified diet mentality and beliefs about “good and bad” foods

What are signs someone has binge eating disorder?

Signs someone has binge eating disorder may include things like:

• Eating much more quickly than normal.

• Continuing to eat even when not physically hungry or when already full.

• Eating until feeling uncomfortably or painfully full.

• Often eating alone due to embarrassment over the quantity of food consumed.

• Hiding food wrappers or eating in secret.

• Eating others’ food even when it’s labeled such as a roommate’s snacks

• Making comments about their eating, body, or shame about their relationship with food.

• Exhibiting distress, shame, guilt, or disgust with oneself after binge eating.

• Feeling unable to stop eating or control what and how much is eaten during the binge episodes.

• Feeling like they’re in a fog or lose track of time when eating.

• Eating things during a binge that ordinarily wouldn’t be appealing.

• Fixation on a certain food or group of foods with much urgency and intensity prior to having a binge episode.

• High levels of anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues related to eating behaviors.

• Restrictive eating patterns when they are not binging.

How does binge eating disorder affect the body?

Binge eating disorder (BED) can have short and long-term effects on folks’ physical and mental health. When reading about BED online, you will come across warnings about things like weight gain or obesity. I’m going to mention other health impacts of BED but want you to have a heads-up if you read other articles beyond this blog.

**I want to be very clear that words like obesity can be very triggering to folks who already deal with weight stigma and the impacts of fat phobia in American culture. Obesity is a word used to medicalize fatness and is an incredibly harmful, reductionist approach to diagnosing health conditions in people with larger body size. Diagnosing people with “obesity” often ignores underlying health conditions and blames them on fatness. Fat does not equal unhealthy. While existing in a larger body can come with its own challenges (often due to the very real, traumatizing health impacts of fatphobia and weight stigma), there is often a lack of causation in the research between higher body weight and poorer health outcomes. Please read the book Health At Every Size by Lindo Bacon, PhD for more evidence on this issue.**

While weight can be a side effect of binge eating, it’s not often the case for everyone. Remember, there is no “look” to an eating disorder. People in larger bodies can have anorexia. People in smaller bodies can have binge eating disorders. It’s more important to look at the frequency of behaviors, level of distress associated with food/body, and biometric data such as bloodwork to help determine the diagnosis of an eating disorder.

Short-Term Effects:

Gastrointestinal Issues:

• Stomach pain and discomfort

• Indigestion and heartburn

• Nausea

Body Discomfort:

• The body's effort to digest large amounts of food can lead to feelings of tiredness and/or difficulty sleeping due to heartburn or stomach pain.

• Folks may notice temperature changes such as feeling more hot or sweaty as their metabolism revs up to help digest more food.

Long-Term Effects:

• Weight gain from increased calorie intake. *This is not always the case.

• Decreased ability to sense hunger and fullness cues.

• Metabolic issues such as insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome

Cardiovascular Problems:

• Hypertension

• Heart Disease: Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, along with hypertension, increase the risk of heart disease.

• Stroke: The risk of stroke is higher due to the combined effects of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

Gastrointestinal Disorders:

• Gallbladder Disease: Higher risk of gallstones and gallbladder disease due to changes in bile composition.

• Fatty Liver Disease: Accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to inflammation and liver damage.

• Bowel issues such as constipation and diarrhea

Psychological and Emotional Impact:

Mental Health Issues:

• Depression, anxiety, and OCD: High levels of emotional distress, depression, and anxiety are common among those with BED.

• Low Self-Esteem: Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem can result from the disorder and its physical consequences.

Social and Interpersonal Problems:

• Isolation: Embarrassment about eating habits and body image can lead to social isolation.

• Strained Relationships: Relationships with family and friends may become strained due to the emotional and behavioral patterns associated with BED.

Addressing BED requires a comprehensive treatment approach that includes nutrition support, eating disorder therapy, and sometimes medication to manage both the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder.

How is binge eating disorder treated? Exploring eating disorder treatment in Raleigh, NC

Binge eating disorder is treated using a combination of mental health counseling and nutrition support. Here are some specific mental health treatment modalities that might be used to support binge eating recovery:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address thoughts and behaviors

• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) to improve relationships and overall functioning

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to increase mindfulness and change behaviors

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help connect with values for living

• Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SE) to support increased embodiment and nervous system regulation

• Intuitive Eating Education to ditch diet culture and support a more neutral relationship with food

• Additional interventions for binge eating treatment may include the following:

• Medical management such as the use of medications for anxiety, depression, and ADHD

• Nutritional counseling

• Lifestyle changes and support groups

Binge eating recovery treatment plans are individualized based on the severity of the disorder, the presence of co-occurring conditions, and the client’s personal preferences and needs. Early intervention and a supportive treatment environment significantly improve the chances of successful management and recovery from BED.

Understanding the symptoms and signs of binge eating is crucial for early identification and intervention. Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period, accompanied by a sense of loss of control. This behavior often leads to physical discomfort and emotional distress, including feelings of guilt and shame. Recognizing these signs (such as eating in secret, eating rapidly, and significant distress about food and body) can facilitate timely support and treatment.

Start feeling better today by working with an eating disorder therapist in Raleigh, NC

If you think you or someone you love is dealing with binge eating disorder, know that recovery is possible. You don’t have to continue suffering. You can open the pantry and trust yourself around all kinds of food again. Please reach out and contact me to start feeling better.

1. Schedule a consultation with me here so I can learn more about you.

2. Discover strategies and tools to help your eating disorder recovery.

3. Start the journey toward a more balanced lifestyle!

Other online services I offer in North Carolina:

My goal is to provide compassionate support to help individuals process and release trauma stored in the body with trauma and somatic therapy. Rediscover a harmonious relationship between food and your body through my intuitive eating services!