Binge eating is a disorder characterized by the uncontrollable consumption of large quantities of food. According to Paul Jenkins, an adjunct professor of clinical psychology at the University of Reading in the UK, this eating disorder is the most common eating disorder, occurring three times more frequently than anorexia. Research indicates that the number of binge eating cases worldwide is steadily increasing.
Despite its prevalence, many individuals who struggle with binge eating are unaware that they have a disorder.
How can you recognize it? What sets binge eating apart from occasional overeating or periodic emotional eating is the loss of control over food consumption.
Some signs of binge eating include:
- A person eats until they feel uncomfortably full
- They consume large amounts of food even when not hungry
- They eat faster than usual
- After a meal, they feel disgusted, guilty, and upset
Serious Consequences of the Disorder
Paul Jenkins says binge eating should be identified early, before serious health problems develop, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol.
At the same time, people who overeat often experience mental health issues. About 70 percent of people with binge eating disorder report feelings of depression or anxiety, according to ScienceAlert. Approximately a quarter of individuals with this diagnosis have attempted suicide.
Binge eating can negatively affect daily life, potentially leading to lower academic performance or reduced job prospects.
However, Jenkins notes that binge eating can be treated effectively.
Most people with the disorder are advised to try psychological treatments. For example, cognitive therapy helps identify underlying causes of overeating and develop healthier eating habits.
Medication can also be used, but it tends to be less effective than psychological therapy and can cause side effects such as headaches, insomnia, nausea, and fatigue.
Listening to Yourself
The symptoms of binge eating are often linked to negative events or emotions. So take your mental health seriously.
Early indicators that uncontrolled eating is progressing may include changes in eating behavior, such as buying large quantities of food or consuming excessive amounts even when not hungry.
If you find yourself spending a lot of time thinking about food and suspect that overeating is becoming a problem, seek help from healthcare professionals as soon as possible. Typically, multiple specialists address this issue: a psychologist, a dietitian, and a gastroenterologist.
