If you experience recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food and feel powerless to stop, you are not alone. This is the core experience of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), the most prevalent eating disorder in the U.S.
The most important thing to know is that this is not your fault. BED is not a lack of willpower or a personal failing—it’s a complex brain disorder rooted in biology and neurology. While outside pressures from diet culture or family history can play a part, they are never the sole cause.
BED can have a serious impact on your well-being, but it does not have to be a life sentence. There is a clear path forward. With the right support and treatment, you can find lasting freedom from binge eating.
For every one person who develops anorexia, there are roughly three to four people who will develop Binge Eating Disorder. Despite being the most common eating disorder, BED often receives less public attention and awareness compared to anorexia and bulimia.1
Concerned that you or a loved one may have binge eating disorder?
Many cases of binge eating disorder go undiagnosed, with some research indicating that less than half of those who meet the criteria for BED have ever sought treatment for their eating disorder.
- Noticeable weight fluctuations, including weight gain. (Note: Individuals with BED can be in bodies of any size—underweight, “normal” weight, or overweight).
- Stomach cramps, bloating, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal problems.
- Feeling tired, sluggish, and not sleeping well.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Long-term health complications associated with weight gain, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Sleep apnea
- Joint and muscle pain
- Eating an unusually large amount of food in a specific period of time (e.g., within two hours).
- A feeling of being out of control during the bingeing episode; feeling like you can’t stop eating.
- Eating much more rapidly than normal.
- Eating in secret or alone due to feelings of embarrassment or shame about the amount of food being consumed.
- Hiding or hoarding food in unusual places.
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably or painfully full.
- Continuing to eat even when not physically hungry.
- Engaging in frequent or cyclical dieting, often without long-term weight loss.
- Developing specific food rituals or avoiding social situations involving meals.
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities.
The emotional and psychological toll of bulimia is significant and often at the core of the disorder. These symptoms include:
- Intense feelings of guilt, shame, and disgust after a bingeing episode.
- Significant distress about the binge eating behavior.
- Feeling “numb” or “zoned out” while bingeing, as if on autopilot.
- Low self-esteem and poor body image that are heavily influenced by body shape and weight.
- Experiencing feelings of depression, anxiety, or worthlessness.
- A sense of tension or anxiety that is only relieved by eating.
- Mood swings and increased irritability.
- Feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Binge eating disorder frequently co-occurs with other mental health conditions. This is a significant aspect of the disorder, as these co-occurring conditions can influence both the severity of symptoms and the approach to treatment. The most common co-occurring conditions are anxiety disorders and mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder.2
Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
Healing from Binge Eating Disorder is a journey toward finding freedom and balance. Like other eating disorders, lasting recovery is achieved through comprehensive, evidence-based care that supports you as a whole person. Our treatment is designed to help you stop binge eating behaviors, rebuild trust with your body, and discover new, effective ways to cope with life’s challenges.
Your journey begins by focusing on the building blocks of recovery: nutrition and behavior. It might seem counterintuitive, but one of the first and most critical steps is not restriction, but ensuring you eat consistently. Binge eating is often the body’s response to not getting enough food regularly. By working with you to incorporate three meals and snacks into your day, we can help break the powerful binge-restrict cycle and lay the groundwork for a peaceful, healthy relationship with food.
Regain control. Find peace with food.
The shame and secrecy surrounding binge eating are a heavy burden, but healing happens in a space of support and understanding. Reaching out is the first step to leaving the isolation behind and starting your journey toward recovery.