Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder is one of the newest eating disorders that the DSM-5 now recognizes. The diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder, according to NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association), includes:

Episodes of binge eating that recur at least once a week for 3 months.

A binge eating episode has these characteristics:

• Eating a large amount of food (larger than what most people would eat under a similar circumstance) in a 2 hour period or less.

• Feeling a lack of control over what you’re eating during a binge episode or feeling like you cannot stop eating.

Three or more of these are present during binge eating episodes:

• Eating at a very rapid pace

• Eating an extremely large amount of food when not physically hungry

• Feeling guilty, shameful, disgusted afterwards

• Eating alone because of guilt over what or how much is being eaten

• Eating past normal fullness, until uncomfortably full

And lastly, the binge eating does not include purging or other compensatory behaviors.

There are many things that can lead to binge eating like chronic dieting, stress/anxiety, restricting food intake/restricting certain types of foods, desire to feel numb or feeling lack of control, and other things.

If you are struggling with binge eating disorder, our therapists and dietitian are here to help! We have a lot of experience working with clients with BED and can help you learn the skills and knowledge you need to work through anxiety, stress, help you with mindfulness around food, and help you develop healthy and balanced patterns around food and with life.

Schedule a free consultation with a therapist or dietitian HERE.