Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 8/18/2021
Doctor's Notes on Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is in a type of eating disorder characterized by binge eating that is not followed by behavior to compensate for the eating such as purging, use of laxatives, or excessive exercise. Binge eating disorder is believed to be more common than anorexia (avoiding eating) and bulimia (binge eating and purging).
Symptoms of binge eating disorder include binge eating that is characterized by:
- inability to control binges
- guilt or distress because of binges
Binge eating disorder is also associated with:
- eating more quickly than usual,
- eating until uncomfortably full,
- eating large amounts of food even though the person is not physically hungry,
- eating alone because of feelings of embarrassment, and
- feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterward.
Other symptoms that may result from binge eating include:
- weight gain,
- being overweight,
- high cholesterol, or
- high blood sugar levels.
What Is the Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder?
Treatment for binge eating disorder usually involves a combination of methods, which may include:
- Individual or group psychotherapy, including family therapy
- Medications:
- Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), the first FDA-approved drug to treat binge eating disorder
- Other types of medications, such as antidepressants and certain antiseizure medications, which have been shown to help some people with binge eating disorder
- Nutrition counseling and support for a healthy lifestyle
Binge Eating Disorder : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz
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Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a mental illness. People who have anorexia have a preoccupation with food and body image to the extreme. Symptoms and signs of anorexia nervosa include being very underweight, undereating, and laxative, diuretic, and appetite-suppressant use. A coordinated team of specialists is needed to handle all the medical and psychological components of this illness. -
Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms and Signs
Binge eating disorder is a serious mental condition in which a person eats large amounts of food for a couple of weeks or more. Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the US. People with the eating disorder often feel depressed, anxious, and out of control, so they binge (eat large quantities of food). The binging episode is followed by body shaming, loneliness, guilt, and shame about eating. Many women with binge eating disorder hide their behavior due to shame, embarrassment, and guilt. Examples of symptoms of binge eating disorder include eating large amounts of food when you’re not hungry, eating faster than normal, eating until you are uncomfortably full, feeling depressed, guilty, or disgusted afterward. Binge order is treated with medications, psychotherapy, or both. -
Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder. Someone with bulimia might binge on food and then vomit (also called purge). Treatment usually involves counseling and behavioral therapy. -
Obesity
More than two-thirds of Americans are overweight, including at least one in five children. Nearly one-third are obese. Obesity is on the rise in our society because food is abundant and physical activity is optional. The safest way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. Treatment may also include medications, surgery, and behavior modification. -
Weight Loss
Obesity is simply the accumulation of excess body fat. It is much more than that, however. Obesity is a chronic (long-term) disease that is very difficult to treat. It takes 3,500 extra calories to gain 1 pound. To lose weight, you must eat 3,500 calories less than you need, say, 500 fewer calories per day for one week, to lose 1 pound.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.