Last Updated:
July 22nd, 2025
Binge-Eating Disorder | Signs, Causes and Treatment
Everyone overeats now and then. Birthday parties, holidays, stress-relieving evenings on the sofa, it happens. But when episodes of eating feel out of control and begin to shape your emotional wellbeing, it may be a sign of something deeper. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) affects more people than many realise and recognising it early can help prevent a long road of physical and emotional struggles.
On this page, we’ll take a closer look at what BED actually is, how it develops, why it’s serious and where to turn if it’s something you or a loved one may be facing.
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge Eating Disorder is a recognised eating disorder and mental health condition, defined by frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food in a short space of time. It usually also accompanied by a sense that the eating can’t be stopped, even when full or uncomfortable.
Unlike bulimia, BED does not involve behaviours like purging. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less serious. BED can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, background or weight.
It’s more common than you might think and is now included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the reference used by mental health professionals to guide diagnosis and treatment.
The criteria for diagnosis include episodes of binge eating at least once a week for three months, a feeling of loss of control and associated distress. The episodes may involve eating quickly, eating when not hungry, eating alone due to shame or feeling disgusted or guilty afterwards.
Only a qualified professional can make this diagnosis but knowing the signs is an important first step in seeking help.
What causes Binge Eating Disorder?
There’s no single cause of BED but research shows that multiple factors tend to interact over time. It’s rarely about food alone.
- Genetic influences may increase vulnerability, especially if there’s a family history of eating disorders or issues with impulse control. Changes in brain chemistry, particularly around serotonin levels (which help regulate mood and appetite), are also thought to play a role.
- Psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety and low self-worth often sit alongside BED, sometimes both fuelling and resulting from the disorder. Traumatic experiences or long-standing emotional struggles can leave food feeling like a coping mechanism.
- Dieting and restrictive eating patterns, especially when weight loss is driven by shame or unrealistic expectations, may trigger the cycle. The body reacts to deprivation with overwhelming hunger, making binges more likely.
- Body dissatisfaction, fuelled by cultural standards of beauty or a history of teasing or bullying, can deepen the emotional pain and reinforce disordered patterns.
Why Binge Eating Disorder is dangerous
Binge Eating Disorder can severely affect both physical and mental health, especially when left unaddressed. The physical effects often centre on conditions that develop gradually over time, such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal distress. This goes to show how the condition can deeply impact the overall quality of life.
But the emotional impact runs just as deep. Repeated binges can cause intense emotions and feelings like guilt and shame. Many people with BED report struggling with low self-esteem and feeling unable to break the cycle, which may feed into ongoing depression or anxiety.
The risk is even greater when BED exists alongside other mental health conditions. Research shows that around 79% of people with BED also meet the criteria for another psychiatric disorder like:
- Anxiety
- A range of mood disorders
- PTSD
- Substance use issues
- Impulse control difficulties
These comorbidities often go undiagnosed at first but can make recovery more difficult if not properly addressed.
This is why early support and professional guidance is essential. Without help, binge eating may become a long-term coping mechanism that masks more serious issues, both emotional and physical.
Common myths about Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder is surrounded by myths that can cause real harm. When false beliefs take hold, they can stop people from recognising the problem or reaching out for help. Below, we break down some of the most common misconceptions and set the record straight.
Myth 1: “Binge Eating Disorder is just overeating.”
Overeating happens to most people occasionally. BED is different. It’s marked by repeated, compulsive episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short time, often followed by guilt, distress and a complete loss of control.
Myth 2: “Only people who are overweight have BED.”
BED affects people of all body sizes. In fact, many individuals with BED maintain an average or below-average weight, which can delay recognition or treatment.
Myth 3: “It’s not as serious as anorexia or bulimia.”
BED can lead to serious health complications, both physical and psychological. The condition is real, diagnosable and can severely impact a person’s wellbeing if left untreated.
Myth 4: “People with BED just need more willpower.”
BED isn’t about willpower. It’s about a complex relationship with food, often shaped by emotional pain, trauma or underlying mental health struggles. Support and therapy, not shame, are what help.
How is Binge Eating Disorder treated?
Treatment for BED isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. At its heart, it involves understanding what the binge eating is doing for the individual, like, what pain it’s masking, what feelings it’s trying to soothe and finding healthier ways to meet those emotional needs.
This is where therapy becomes crucial. In eating disorder treatment programmes, therapy serves as the main treatment tool, which gets the results needed. Here’s what a typical programme may use:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to address unhelpful thought patterns and habits.
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) to help with emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Art and sound therapy for expression and release.
- Mindfulness-based techniques to reconnect with the body and build awareness around eating cues.
- Nutritional education to develop sustainable, balanced eating habits.
- Family therapy and relapse prevention to reinforce progress outside the treatment setting.
This rounded approach not only tackles the eating behaviours but also explores the underlying reasons they developed in the first place.
Where to go from here
BED can be overwhelming. But it’s also treatable. If you or someone you love is struggling, there are options out there. Addiction Helper can connect you to eating disorder treatment centres that understand BED and know how to help.
Early intervention improves outcomes and the sooner support is in place, the more likely someone is to regain a sense of peace around food and a better quality of life overall.
No one has to keep facing this alone. The first step can start today.
Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click here to see works cited)
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