Let’s get real – eating disorders can affect anyone, anywhere. This National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (#NEDAwareness), we’re changing the conversation around food, body image, and eating disorders! Join us at nedawareness.org

DAY 4:

Types of Eating Disorders: Binge eating disorder

What is it?
Binge eating disorder is characterized by episodes of binge eating in which a person consumes large amounts of food (beyond the point of feeling full) within a short period of time and feels out of control while binge eating. Contrary to bulimia, an individual struggling with binge eating does not make attempts to purge their food following an episode.

Many people who have binge eating disorder use food as a way to cope with uncomfortable feelings and emotions. These are people who may have never learned how to deal effectively with stress, and find it comforting and soothing to eat food. Unfortunately, they often end up feeling sad and guilty about not being able to control their eating, which increases the stress and fuels the cycle.

Presenting Signs & Symptoms:
•       Frequent episodes of eating what others would consider an abnormally large amount of food
•       Frequent feelings of being unable to control what or how much is being eaten
•       Eating much more rapidly than usual
•       Eating until uncomfortably full
•       Eating large amounts of food, even when not physically hungry
•       Eating alone out of embarrassment at the quantity of food being eaten
•       Feelings of disgust, depression, or guilt after overeating
•       Fluctuations in weight
•       Feelings of low self-esteem
•       Loss of sexual desire
•       Frequent dieting

Worried you may be struggling with an Eating Disorder?

Use the screening tool here

Or find more information on treatment at WECHC here.