We all have those days when we go a little extra and binge on that pack of chips or on that extra bar of chocolate. When stress, boredom or especially in the case of women during “that” time of the month, cookie jar and the tub of ice cream tend to disappear real fast. After a while we regain control, eventually the moment passes and we move on.
Unfortunately for someone suffering from binge eating disorder, it is not that simple. Binge eating disorder is considered as a mental health condition when someone eats a very large amount of food in a short duration. They feel that they have little control over what or how much they eat1.
Binge eating disorder is a complex condition influenced by multiple factors and its symptoms may vary, but these are most commonly observed symptoms are: 1
Eating a large amount of food in a short time
Unable to stop eating when feeling full
Eating even when not hungry
Eating very fast during binge eating
Eating secretly or alone
Some of the warning signs to look for in suspected cases of binge eating disorder
Sudden change in behaviour
Mood swings
Hoarding food supplies
Trying to hide how much they are eating
Eating a large quantity of food very quickly
Binge eating disorder involves combination of multiple factors like :
Genetic
Physiological
Psychological
Environmental
Social
Though the exact trigger/causative factor vary from individual to individual, common contributors may include:
Family history
Psychological factors
Chronic dieting or restrictive eating behaviors
Negative body image or dissatisfaction with one's appearance
Stressful life events
Almost all of us overeat at some point in time, but the major difference between overeating and binge eating is the frequency and how regular one repeats this pattern. A person is said to have binge eating disorder if they binge eat regularly at least once a week for more than 3 months.1
According to Dr. Lisa Ranzenhofer, clinical psychologist and researcher at the Columbia University Centre for Eating Disorders, 2 "People with a binge eating problem may continue eating long after feeling full, and they often feel distressed about their eating and about body shape and weight.”
The key factor differentiating occasional overeating and binge eating disorder is the timing, generally occasional overeating happens when the person is quite hungry, excited for their favourite food, during periods, during holidays or festivals. In binge eating disorder, a person tries to consume unusually large quantity of food and then they get overwhelmed by guilt feeling.Ms. Sharanya Guna, Msc Clinical Nutrition, Ex SRMC Chennai
Dr. Abhinaya K, MD Biochemistry, from MedBound Times contacted Ms. Sharanya Guna, MSc Clinical Nutrition, for her insight on what is the key difference between occasional overeating and binge eating disorder, and when should someone consider seeking professional help.
Ms. Guna explained that “The key factor differentiating occasional overeating and binge eating disorder is the timing, generally occasional overeating happens when the person is quite hungry, excited for their favourite food , during periods, during holidays or festivals. In binge eating disorder a person tries to consume unusually large quantity of food and then they get overwhelmed by guilt feeling. When the person is having this kind of eating pattern very frequently like at least 2-3 days in a week, binge eating disorder is usually suspected. Even though there is no specific test to diagnose binge eating disorder, binge eating disorder is usually diagnosed by a healthcare professional , the assessment is generally based on eating pattern , behaviours , emotional well being at the time of binge eating.”
Mental health conditions that are often linked with binge-eating disorder include:
Depression
Anxiety
Substance abuse
Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Depression
Anxiety
Low self esteem
Social isolation
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Nutritional deficiency
Insomnia
Healthcare professionals conduct interviews to understand the patient's thoughts, feelings and behavioural patterns. Then these answers are compared with the criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The criteria for binge eating disorders are:
Eating large quantity of food in short duration of time
Cannot stop eating even if you feel full
Binge eats once a week for ore than 3 months.
Diagnosis of binge eating disorder is based on a clinical assessment of the person's eating behaviour, including recurrent binge episodes, loss of control, associated symptoms, distress, and their impact on daily life.Mr. Areman Sharma, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Postgraduate Institute of Behavioural and Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh|Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Sthirta.
MedBound Times got in touch with Mr. Areman Sharma, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Postgraduate Institute of Behavioural and Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Sthirta to understand how is binge eating disorder diagnosed, and why is professional assessment important. He explained that “According to ICD-11, Binge Eating Disorder is coded as 6B82. Diagnosis is based on a clinical assessment of the person's eating behaviour, including recurrent binge episodes, loss of control, associated symptoms, distress, and their impact on daily life. Professional assessment is important because binge eating can occur alongside depression, anxiety, weight-related concerns, or other eating disorders, and these need to be properly differentiated to plan appropriate treatment.” Mr. Areman Sharma, Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Postgraduate Institute of Behavioural and Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Sthirta.
The primary goal of the treatment should be building a healthy relationship with food and eating. For lasting results the therapy requires time and patience, one must understand the fact that there is no quick fix.
Different therapeutic approaches employed by healthcare providers are as follows:
According to NHS services a guided self help programme is offered as the first step in treating binge eating disorder.3 This usually consists of working through a self help book, or a guided online session. This also involves joining a self help group which can act as a positive reinforcement.
If no improvement is observed then psychotherapy sessions are advised.
The first line of treatment is psychotherapy (talk therapy) along with treatment for other conditions developed due to binge eating.Different approaches to therapy:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):
CBT helps the person understand and identify the exact reason behind the negative habits and with the help of a therapist the patient is trained to break these habits and find a healthy coping mechanism.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT):
IPT is a short-term, focused type of therapy that addresses immediate conflicts and trigger factors. IPT focuses on improving relationships with food and oneself.
Medication usually plays a supporting role in the treatment of binge eating disorders. They are normally prescribed by a certified healthcare provider in conditions where other therapeutic approaches are not giving desired outcome Commonly used medications are:
Medication to control impulse helps to control the impulse to binge eat.
Medications for other related mental health conditions are provided to support the treatment
Appetite suppressants: These help to break the cycle of binge eating.
In the recovery phase a registered dietitian can help you build a healthy and balanced relationship with food. Having a well balanced diet which leaves you satisfied can help in better recovery. Consistent habit building can promote fast recovery and less chance of relapse.
It is important to understand that binge eating disorder is a real mental health condition and not a sign of low willpower. As discussed earlier it is a multifactorial condition and due to its complex nature binge eating takes time to recover, but with the right support and treatment it is possible to recover and build healthy relationship food. Building awareness about this condition is crucial to identify binge eating and to get adequate support and treatment. With the right support,treatment and skills one can heal faster.
Takeaway message from Mr.Areman Sharma,Consultant Clinical Psychologist & Assistant Professor is, “binge eating disorder is a treatable mental-health condition and is not simply a matter of poor self-control or lack of willpower.Recovery involves understanding the factors that maintain binge eating and developing healthier ways of managing emotions, thoughts, and eating patterns. Psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy can be helpful, along with nutritional or medical support when required.For example, instead of blaming themselves after a binge, a person can learn to identify triggers such as stress, emotional distress, loneliness, or restrictive eating and develop healthier coping strategies.Recovery does not mean being perfect with food—it means gradually developing a healthier and more flexible relationship with eating.”
How common are Eating Disorders?
According to the American Psychiatric Association 5% of the population is affected with some type of eating disorders. Most of the conditions develop during adolescence or early adulthood. It is observed that eating disorders are commonly observed among females compared to males.
What are the common personality traits in individuals with eating disorders?
Introversion, low self-esteem, perfectionism, obsessive-compulsive behaviour are some of the common personality traits observed in eating disorder patients.
Which are the common eating disorders?
Anorexia, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge eating Disorder is considered as the most common eating disorders.
What is the future outlook of binge eating disorder?
According to research 50% of patients stopped binge eating after psychotherapy.
Giel KE, Bulik CM, Fernandez-Aranda F, Hay P, Keski-Rahkonen A, Schag K, Schmidt U, Zipfel S. Binge eating disorder. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2022 Mar 17;8(1):16. doi: 10.1038/s41572-022-00344-y. PMID: 35301358; PMCID: PMC9793802.
Cantor C. Overeating vs. binge eating disorder: what is the difference? Columbia University Department of Psychiatry [Internet]. 2024 Feb 7 [cited 2026 Sep 13]. Available from: Columbia University Department of Psychiatry website.
NHS. Overview - Binge eating disorder [Internet]. London: National Health Service; 2026 Jul 17 [cited 2026 Sep 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/binge-eating/overview/