Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurring episodes of uncontrolled eating. It should be noted that BED has not officially been classified as a mental health disorder. Debate remains as to whether binge eating is a medical condition or merely a group of symptoms. As a result, the American Psychiatric Association has yet to establish criteria for a definitive diagnosis. Nonetheless, experts believe the condition to be very common. It tends to begin in late adolescence or in a person’s early 20s.

Many people occasionally overindulge when it comes to eating. This does not mean they have an eating disorder. However, people with BED have little control over how much food they consume and tend to eat even when they are not hungry. Episodes where a person eats excessive amounts of food in a given time period are referred to as “binges.” 

The definition of a typical binge varies. Some experts define it as a period of overeating that lasts for about two hours. However, others believe that a binge can last an entire day. Many patients are unable to separate binges into the individual episodes. Binging may take place over the course of the day with no planned meal times. Rather than identifying individual episodes, patients may have more success identifying the days in which they binged as opposed to the days in which they did not.

Binging or overeating does not typically stop until the person is uncomfortably full. People with BED find the binges to be soothing at the time, but later feel extreme guilt and sadness about their loss of control.

BED may be confused with another common eating disorder called bulimia nervosa. However, BED differs from bulimia in that it is not associated with purging behaviors (e.g., self-induced vomiting, use of laxatives) or extreme exercise to avoid weight gain. 

BED often affects all aspects of a person’s life. Patients may not be able to enjoy casual meals with family or friends and may withdraw socially in order to binge eat in private. However, research shows that a significant amount of binge eating takes place in restaurants.  Obesity is common in patients who binge eat, as are psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.