Binge eating disorder
Overview
Read about binge eating disorder, which is when a person feels compelled to overeat on a regular basis. Find out about the symptoms, treatments and possible causes.
Symptoms
The main symptom of binge eating disorder is eating a lot of food in a short time and not being able to stop when full. Other symptoms include: eating when not hungryeating very fast during a bingeeating alone or secretlyfeeling depressed, guilty, ashamed or disgusted after binge eating eating when not hungry eating very fast during a binge eating alone or secretly feeling depressed, guilty, ashamed or disgusted after binge eating People who regularly eat in this way may have binge eating disorder. Someone you care about may have an eating disorder if they: change their behaviour or have changes in their moodeat a lot of food, very quicklytry to hide how much they're eatingstore up supplies of foodput on weight (but this does not happen to everyone with binge eating disorder) change their behaviour or have changes in their mood eat a lot of food, very quickly try to hide how much they're eating store up supplies of food put on weight (but this does not happen to everyone with binge eating disorder)
Causes
The exact causes of binge eating disorder are not known, but you are more likely to have an eating disorder if: you or a member of your family has a history of eating disorders, depression, or alcohol or drug misuseyou're too worried about being slim, particularly if you also feel pressure from society or your job, for example, ballet dancers, models or athletesyou have anxiety, low self-esteem, an obsessive personality or are a perfectionistyou've experienced a stressful event or trauma you or a member of your family has a history of eating disorders, depression, or alcohol or drug misuse you're too worried about being slim, particularly if you also feel pressure from society or your job, for example, ballet dancers, models or athletes you have anxiety, low self-esteem, an obsessive personality or are a perfectionist you've experienced a stressful event or trauma
Treatment
Most people recover from binge eating disorder with the right support and treatment, but it may take time. The main treatments are: guided self-help programmesa type of talking therapy calledcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is in group sessions or individual (1-on-1) sessions guided self-help programmes a type of talking therapy calledcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which is in group sessions or individual (1-on-1) sessions Read more about treating binge eating disorder