Binge Eating Disorder, known as BED, as its name suggests involves the individual consuming large quantities of food in a short space of time, in a similar way to that described with Bulimia. However, unlike individuals who suffer from Bulimia, the suffer does not purge after bingeing.

Symptoms

Binge eating disorder is thought to affect more people than Anorexia and Bulimia and is recognisable by some of the following symptoms:

• Eating large quantities of food in a short space of time
• Constant thoughts around food
• Feeling out of control when eating
• Feeling shame and guilt after bingeing
• Wanting to eat alone due to shame
• Consuming enough food to make the individual feel sick
• Wanting to eat, even when not hungry

How is it treated?

Binge Eating Disorder can be treated with psychological therapy such as CBT which can help to reduce the need to engage in binge eating behaviour and give the sufferer the tools to prevent themselves from relapsing back into the cycle of binge-eating.

As with all eating disorders, the first point of contact if you think you or someone close to you may be suffering from binge-eating disorder is your local GP.

For more information on where to go to get help please see our Getting Help section.