Binge Eating Disorder

Summary

What is binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious eating disorder involving repeated episodes of binge eating, where someone eats a large amount of food over a relatively short period and experiences a sense of losing control over their eating. During a binge, someone may feel unable to stop eating or unable to control what or how much they are eating, even when they are already uncomfortably full. Binge eating is different from simply eating a large meal or occasionally eating more than planned. It is the sense of loss of control and the distress associated with the experience that are particularly important.

Binge eating can happen for many different reasons and may be linked to difficult emotions, stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness, boredom or feeling overwhelmed. Someone may use food as a way of coping with difficult feelings or temporarily distracting themselves from what is happening around them. This may provide short-term comfort, but can then be followed by guilt, shame or distress, which can contribute to the cycle of binge eating. BED can affect children, teenagers and adults of any gender, background or body size, and you cannot tell whether someone has binge eating disorder by looking at their body or weight.

How might binge eating disorder be experienced?

Someone experiencing binge eating disorder might:

  • Eat a large amount of food in a short period of time and feel unable to stop or control their eating. They may feel as though they are eating automatically or that they have lost control over what is happening.
  • Eat much more quickly than usual, sometimes continuing to eat until they feel physically uncomfortable or uncomfortably full.
  • Eat when they aren’t physically hungry or continue eating even after they are comfortably full. Hunger is not necessarily what is driving the eating.
  • Feel disconnected from their body or surroundings while binge eating, almost as though they are on “autopilot”. Some people may struggle to remember exactly what they ate afterwards.
  • Eat alone or in secret, particularly because they feel embarrassed, ashamed or worried about what other people might think.
  • Hide food, wrappers or evidence of eating, or become secretive about when, where or how much they have eaten.
  • Experience strong feelings of guilt, shame, disgust, sadness, anxiety or self-criticism after binge eating.

Notice that binge eating happens more often during periods of stress or difficult emotions, although it can also happen when someone isn’t consciously aware of what has triggered it.

Feel distressed about their relationship with food and worry that they cannot trust themselves around food or control their eating.

Physical signs

Binge eating can affect someone’s physical wellbeing as well as their thoughts and emotions. Eating a large amount of food quickly can cause temporary physical discomfort, while repeated binge eating may contribute to longer-term health difficulties. Someone may experience:

  • Feeling very full, uncomfortable or physically heavy after eating.
  • Bloating, stomach pain or cramping.
  • Nausea or other digestive problems.
  • Constipation or changes in bowel habits.
  • Feeling tired, sluggish or having low energy.
  • Difficulty sleeping or feeling uncomfortable when trying to sleep after eating.
  • Changes in weight, although weight gain does not happen to everyone with binge eating disorder and weight should not be used to determine whether someone is struggling.

Physical signs aren’t always obvious, and someone can experience significant distress from binge eating without any noticeable change in their weight or appearance. It is therefore important not to assume that someone is or isn’t struggling based on their body.

How might you notice it in someone you care about?

You may notice changes in someone’s eating habits, behaviour, emotions or relationship with food. They might eat unusually large amounts of food, particularly over a short period, or eat very quickly and continue eating despite being full. They may start eating alone or become more secretive around food because they feel embarrassed or ashamed about their eating.

Someone might hide food, wrappers or evidence of eating, keep large amounts of food in their room or become uncomfortable when other people ask about what they have eaten. They may also become more distressed after meals, talk negatively about themselves or their eating, or seem particularly worried about losing control around food.

You might also notice changes in their mood or behaviour, such as becoming more withdrawn, anxious, irritable or low in mood. However, not everyone will show obvious signs, and someone may work hard to hide their eating difficulties from other people. The absence of visible signs does not mean that someone isn’t struggling.

Binge eating and compensating

A key difference between binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa is what happens after a binge. Someone with binge eating disorder does not regularly use behaviours such as making themselves sick, fasting or excessively exercising to compensate for the food they have eaten. In bulimia nervosa, binge eating occurs alongside repeated compensatory behaviours intended to prevent weight gain.

Someone with BED may still experience thoughts about needing to “make up for” eating or may try to restrict their food intake afterwards. They may find themselves caught in a cycle of restricting, bingeing and then feeling guilty or ashamed. These patterns can be difficult to break without support and are not a sign that someone simply needs more willpower.

Binge eating is not simply overeating

Everyone overeats sometimes, particularly during celebrations, social occasions or when they are particularly hungry. This does not automatically mean someone has binge eating disorder. BED involves repeated experiences of loss of control around eating alongside significant distress or an impact on everyday life.

It is also important to remember that binge eating disorder is not a lack of willpower or self-control. During a binge, someone may genuinely feel unable to stop eating, and criticism or shame can make the cycle more difficult to manage. Understanding the emotional, psychological and behavioural factors behind the binge eating is an important part of treatment and recovery.

Binge eating is about more than food

Binge eating disorder can look like it is “about food” on the surface, but the reasons behind it can be much more complicated. Binge eating may become a way of coping with difficult emotions, stress, anxiety, loneliness or other experiences. Food can provide temporary comfort or distraction, even when the person later feels distressed about what happened.

This means that simply telling someone to “eat less”, “have more self-control” or “just stop bingeing” is unlikely to address the underlying difficulties. Understanding what is happening before, during and after a binge can help someone identify patterns and develop other ways of coping. Support should focus on the whole person rather than simply their eating behaviour.

How to help myself

If you are experiencing binge eating, it can be helpful to start by moving away from shame and self-blame. Binge eating is not a sign that you have failed or lack willpower. Try to notice what happens before, during and after a binge without judging yourself. You may begin to notice patterns, such as bingeing when you are stressed, lonely, bored, upset or after a period of restricting your food. Understanding these patterns can help you work out what support you need.

Try to eat regularly throughout the day. Skipping meals, fasting or severely restricting certain foods can leave you very hungry and may increase the urge to binge. Having regular meals and snacks can help your body receive enough food and make eating feel more predictable. Try not to label foods as completely “good” or “bad”, as strict food rules can sometimes increase cravings and feelings of guilt.

After a binge, try not to punish yourself or compensate for what you have eaten. This might include skipping your next meal, excessively exercising, making yourself sick or severely restricting your food. These behaviours can contribute to a cycle of restriction, binge eating and guilt. Instead, try to return to your usual eating routine and treat the binge as something you can learn from rather than something you need to make up for.

It can also help to develop other ways of managing difficult emotions. If binge eating happens when you’re overwhelmed, stressed or upset, have a list of things you can try when the urge comes up. This could include listening to music, going for a walk, having a shower, talking to someone you trust, doing something creative, playing a game or spending time somewhere you feel comfortable. These strategies won’t always remove the urge to binge, but they can give you more options for coping.

When you notice an urge to binge, try creating a small pause before acting on it. You might move away from the situation, have a drink, use a grounding technique or contact someone you trust. You don’t have to promise yourself that you will never binge again — simply creating a little more space between the urge and what you do next can help you understand what you need in that moment.

Be mindful of what you are consuming online. Social media can expose you to dieting, calorie restriction, weight loss and “what I eat in a day” content that can make eating difficulties worse. Unfollowing accounts that make you feel guilty about food or your body and following accounts that promote a more balanced relationship with eating may help.

Most importantly, ask for professional support if binge eating is happening regularly or causing you distress. A GP, eating disorder service, dietitian or mental health professional can help you understand what is happening and find appropriate treatment. You do not need to reach a particular weight or have a certain appearance to deserve help.

How to help a loved one

If someone you care about is experiencing binge eating, try to approach them with understanding rather than judgement. Binge eating can be accompanied by a lot of shame, guilt and secrecy, so comments about their weight, appearance or how much they have eaten can make it harder for them to talk about what is happening. Let them know that you care about how they are feeling and that they don’t need to be embarrassed or ashamed when talking to you.

Listen without trying to control their eating. Avoid monitoring what they eat, commenting on portion sizes, hiding or restricting food, or encouraging them to diet. These approaches can increase anxiety around food and may contribute to cycles of restriction and binge eating. Instead, ask what kind of support they would find helpful and work with them to create a more relaxed and predictable approach to meals.

You can support them by encouraging regular eating and reducing the pressure around food. Eating together can provide company and routine, but try to keep conversations focused on things other than food, weight or calories. If they binge, avoid treating it as something they need to “make up for”. Encourage them to return to their usual eating routine rather than skipping meals or using exercise to compensate.

It can also help to understand what might be happening underneath the binge eating. Binge eating can sometimes be connected to stress, anxiety, loneliness, low mood or other difficult emotions. You could help them identify activities and coping strategies that they enjoy, such as going for a walk, watching something together, listening to music, gaming or doing something creative. You don’t need to solve the underlying problem — simply being available and helping them feel less alone can make a difference.

Encourage professional support if binge eating is happening regularly or causing significant distress. You could offer to help them speak to a GP, eating disorder service, dietitian or mental health professional, or accompany them to an appointment if they would like. Avoid waiting for their weight or physical health to change before encouraging support, as eating disorders can affect people of any body size.

Finally, look after yourself too. Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be difficult, especially if you’re worried about their health. You can seek advice from a healthcare professional or trusted adult yourself, even if your loved one isn’t ready to ask for help. You can support them without taking responsibility for their recovery.

Myth Buster

Myth: “Binge eating is just overeating.”

Truth: Everyone overeats sometimes, such as at a party, celebration or Christmas, and this does not necessarily mean they are binge eating. The word “bingeing” is often used casually to describe eating a lot, which can make binge eating disorder seem less serious than it is. During a binge, someone with binge eating disorder may experience a strong sense of losing control over their eating, eat much more quickly than usual and continue eating despite feeling uncomfortably full. They may also eat alone or in secret because of feelings of shame or embarrassment and experience guilt, disgust or distress afterwards.

Myth: “Binge eating disorder isn’t as serious as other eating disorders.”

Truth: Binge eating disorder is a serious mental health difficulty that can have a significant impact on someone’s physical health, emotional wellbeing and everyday life. Repeated binge eating can be associated with physical health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes. It can also have a significant impact on someone’s mental health, contributing to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, shame and social isolation. In severe cases, eating disorders can lead to serious physical health complications and can be life-threatening. Every eating disorder deserves to be taken seriously and treated with appropriate support.

Myth: “Everyone with binge eating disorder is overweight or obese.”

Truth: You cannot tell whether someone has binge eating disorder by looking at their body size or weight. People with BED can have a wide range of body types and weights, and weight should never be used as the only indicator of whether someone needs support. Some people may restrict their food intake or skip meals between episodes of binge eating, while others may experience binge eating more than once a day or at different frequencies. These different patterns can affect people in different ways, but someone does not need to be a particular weight to have an eating disorder or deserve help.

Therapy

Therapy for binge eating disorder usually focuses on understanding the reasons behind binge eating, reducing the cycle of bingeing and restriction, and developing healthier ways of coping with difficult emotions. Treatment can vary depending on someone’s age, symptoms and individual circumstances.

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Helps someone understand the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that contribute to binge eating. It can support someone to identify triggers, challenge unhelpful beliefs about food and their body, and develop strategies to manage urges to binge.
  • Guided self-help – Often involves working through structured resources based on CBT with support from a trained professional. It can help someone understand their eating patterns, establish regular eating and develop alternative ways of managing difficult emotions.
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) – Explores how relationships and life experiences may contribute to binge eating. It can help with difficulties such as conflict, loneliness, bereavement, relationship changes and problems with communication.
  • Emotion-focused approaches – Can help someone understand and manage the emotions that may contribute to binge eating. This can include learning alternative ways to cope with stress, sadness, anger, boredom or feeling overwhelmed.
  • Mindfulness-based approaches – Can help someone become more aware of hunger, fullness, emotions and urges without automatically reacting to them. This can support a more balanced and less judgemental relationship with food.
  • Family-based support – For children and young people, involving parents or carers can help create a supportive environment around eating and reduce shame, conflict or pressure. Families can also learn how to respond to binge eating without using criticism or encouraging dieting.
  • Dietetic support – A dietitian can work alongside psychological treatment to support regular, balanced eating and reduce restrictive eating patterns that may contribute to binge episodes. They can also help address nutritional concerns without focusing treatment solely on weight loss.

Helplines

Beat 

Beat is a charity providing information, advice and support for people affected by eating disorders. They support people experiencing eating disorders and provide support for families, friends and carers.

England: 0808 801 0677
Scotland: 0808 801 0432
Wales: 0808 801 0433
Northern Ireland: 0808 801 0434
Opening times: 3pm–8pm, Monday–Friday
Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Childline
Childline is a free service for young people to talk to a counsellor about anything. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Childline is available to anybody who is 18 years old or younger.

Phone: 0800 1111
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
You can also find helpful resources, speak to a counsellor online or send a message on their site.
Website: www.childline.org.uk

For adults concerned about a child, the NSPCC can be contacted 

NSPCC

NSPCC is a children’s charity that works to protect children and prevent abuse and neglect. They provide support and advice for adults about child abuse, neglect, child safety, online safety and children’s mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Phone: 0808 800 5000
Opening times: 10 am–4 pm, Monday–Friday
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Email opening times: 11 am–4 pm, 7 days a week
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk

YoungMinds

YoungMinds is a national charity supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. They provide information, advice and support for parents and carers who are concerned about a young person’s mental health, and help people understand mental health difficulties, find appropriate support and access useful resources. Their Parents Helpline can provide information, advice, emotional support and signposting to other services. 

Parent helpline: 0808 802 5544 (9:30 am – 4 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 9:30 am – 6 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays)
Email: parents@youngminds.org.uk
Webchat: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/

Shout

Shout is a free, confidential text messaging service that provides support to anyone who is struggling to cope. It can help with a wide range of issues, including stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness, relationship difficulties, bullying, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, feeling overwhelmed and other mental health challenges.

Text: SHOUT to 85258
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: www.giveusashout.org

The Mix 

The Mix is a charity providing free information, advice and support for young people on all sorts of issues that can affect their lives and wellbeing. This includes mental health, relationships, money, housing, work and education, drugs and alcohol, bullying, social media, family difficulties and many other challenges. They offer information and practical advice to help young people understand what they are going through, make informed decisions and find further support when they need it. 

Phone: 0808 808 4994
Opening times: 11 am–11 pm, 7 days a week
Website: http://www.themix.org.uk
Crisis Messenger: Text THEMIX to 85258 – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity providing information, advice and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties. They cover a wide range of mental health and wellbeing issues, including anxiety, depression, stress, relationships, loneliness, coping with difficult experiences and managing everyday life. Mind provides information to help people understand what they are experiencing, know their rights, find appropriate support and feel less alone.

Phone: 0300 123 3393
Opening times: 9am–6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk 

Samaritans

Samaritans is a charity providing emotional support to anyone who is struggling to cope or needs someone to talk to. They are there for people experiencing all sorts of difficulties, including stress, anxiety, loneliness, relationship or family problems, bereavement, feeling overwhelmed and concerns about mental health or suicide.

Phone: 116 123
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Website: www.samaritans.org

Anxiety UK

Anxiety UK is a charity providing information, advice and support for people experiencing anxiety, stress and other anxiety-related difficulties. They support people with issues including panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety disorders. 

Phone: 03444 775 774
Opening times: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk