Binge eating disorder

What is binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder marked by repeated episodes of eating large amounts of food within a short period of time, alongside a loss of control while eating. During these episodes, a person may feel unable to stop or unable to regulate how much they are consuming, even when they are already physically full.

Unlike bulimia, binge eating disorder does not involve regular behaviours such as vomiting, laxative use or excessive exercise to compensate for eating. This difference can make the condition harder to recognise, both for those experiencing it and for the people around them. From the outside, eating patterns may appear inconsistent or private rather than visibly extreme.

Binge eating disorder is formally recognised as a serious mental health condition and is one of the most commonly diagnosed eating disorders. It affects people of all genders, ages and body types. Importantly, body size does not determine whether someone has binge eating disorder. The condition is defined by patterns of behaviour and emotional experience, not by weight.

woman thinking about eating disorder

What are the signs of binge eating disorder?

The signs of binge eating disorder develop gradually and may be difficult to recognise at first. Many people work hard to hide their eating behaviours, which can delay recognition and support. These signs tend to appear across behaviour, thoughts and physical experiences and they can overlap in ways that make the condition feel confusing or isolating.

Behavioural signs

Eating unusually large amounts of food within a short period of time
Feeling unable to stop eating once a binge has begun
Eating in secret or avoiding eating in front of others
Hiding food or food packaging
Eating when not physically hungry
Continuing to eat despite feeling uncomfortably full
Repeatedly starting restrictive diets after binge episodes
Structuring daily routines around opportunities to binge

Psychological signs

Strong feelings of shame or guilt after eating
Persistent worry about eating habits
A sense of losing control around food
Harsh self-criticism linked to eating behaviour
Low self-esteem connected to food or body image
Using food to cope with emotional distress
Feeling distressed when thinking about eating
Frequent preoccupation with thoughts about food

Physical signs

Frequent bloating or abdominal discomfort
Digestive upset following large eating episodes
Fluctuations in weight
Ongoing fatigue or low energy
Changes in sleep patterns
Feeling physically sluggish after eating

Because binge eating disorder does not involve purging, its physical signs may be less visible than in other eating disorders. This can make it easier for the condition to go unnoticed, even when the emotional impact is significant.

What causes binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder does not have a single cause and research suggests it develops through a combination of different aspects. Below, we explore some of these areas:

Genetic vulnerability

Family and twin studies indicate that binge eating disorder has a meaningful genetic component, with estimates suggesting that around 40 to 60 percent of risk may be inherited.

Research has also pointed to genes involved in dopamine signalling and hunger regulation, which may influence how strongly food is experienced as rewarding.

While genetics alone do not cause binge eating, they can create a background vulnerability that becomes more visible under stress.

Brain and reward differences

Neuroimaging studies show that people with binge eating disorder tend to process food rewards differently. Research has found increased activation in reward-related brain regions when exposed to palatable foods, alongside reduced activity in areas involved in self-control. This combination can make urges feel more intense and harder to resist.

Some studies also suggest disruption in hunger and fullness signalling, which may make it difficult to recognise when enough food has been eaten.

Emotional factors

Emotional regulation plays a central role in binge eating, with research consistently showing that episodes are triggered by issues like low mood or internal tension. Eating is then used as a way to soothe or distract from difficult feelings.

Research suggests that impulsivity is also more common in people with binge eating disorder, making it harder to pause before acting on urges. Over time, this pattern can become self-reinforcing.

How is binge eating disorder treated?

Treatment for binge eating disorder usually focuses on psychological support, while also addressing any underlying difficulties that may be keeping the cycle going. Rather than relying on a single approach, care is often shaped around the person’s needs and the factors driving their eating behaviour.

Here are three areas taken into consideration when treating binge eating disorder:

Therapies

Cognitive behavioural therapy is widely used to help people build more regular eating patterns and challenge unhelpful thoughts linked to food and body image. Interpersonal therapy is also commonly used, focusing on how relationship stress or life changes can contribute to binge eating.

In some cases, therapies that support emotional regulation, such as DBT-based or mindfulness-informed approaches, are added to help people cope with urges more safely.

Medication

Medications like Lisdexamfetamine are approved for moderate to severe binge eating disorder and have been shown to reduce the frequency of binge episodes. Antidepressants, including SSRIs, may also be prescribed, particularly when binge eating is linked with low mood or anxiety.

Treating other co-occurring conditions

Many people with binge eating disorder are also living with other mental health difficulties. Research suggests a large proportion experience conditions such as anxiety or depression alongside their eating difficulties. Because of this, clinicians screen for co-occurring issues and treat them alongside binge eating, helping to address underlying factors that can otherwise keep the cycle going.

What are the next steps?

If you recognise yourself in any of these descriptions, it’s crucial to know that you do not need to manage this alone. Binge eating disorder can feel deeply isolating, particularly when shame or self-blame makes it hard to talk about eating behaviours openly. Reaching out for support can be a meaningful first step toward change.

A healthcare or mental health professional can help explore your relationship with food, the emotional patterns connected to binge eating and how these behaviours are affecting your day-to-day life. This assessment helps clarify whether binge eating disorder may be present and what kind of support could be most helpful.

Remember, binge eating disorder is treatable and many people go on to build a more settled and balanced relationship with food. Asking for help means you are taking a step toward understanding what is going on and finding a way forward that feels more sustainable and compassionate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is binge eating disorder genetic?

Genetics can influence vulnerability to binge eating disorder, particularly through inherited traits linked to appetite regulation and emotional processing. Environment and learned coping patterns also shape how the condition develops.

Can binge eating disorder be fatal if left unaddressed?

Binge eating disorder can become life-threatening over time due to related medical complications such as heart disease or diabetes. Risk increases when episodes continue without support or treatment.

Is binge eating disorder an addiction?

Binge eating disorder is not officially classified as an addiction but it shares behavioural similarities. Loss of control, cravings and compulsive patterns can resemble addiction-like processes for some people.