What Are The Symptoms
Of Binge Eating Disorder? 

We have already stated that some of the main symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
are when someone:

• Eats an unusually large amount of food (more than the average person would) in one session

• Experiences a feeling of loss of control over their eating

• Eats to the point of being uncomfortable or even in pain

• picture by Katie@! on flickr.com

But what are some of the other symptoms associated with BED?

We are all individuals and so no one will have exactly the same experiences, but if someone is showing signs of 3 or more of the symptoms listed above or below, then there is a good possibility that they may be suffering from some form of binge eating problem:

• Eats much faster than normal, during binges

• Binge-eats even when not really hungry

• Feels very self-conscious and avoids company: Often eats alone when binging to keep the practice secret, and may even eat alone at normal times because of embarrassment or other distressing feelings about food.

• Episodes of binging may be 'triggered' by threatening emotions such as stress, anger, upset, or self-loathing (sufferers may talk of "comfort eating")

• Feelings of guilt, shame, depression or disgust often follow a session of binge eating

• A sufferer may appear happy on the outside but be deeply miserable within

• Experience feelings of being unable to resist food

• May hide or horde food for later binges. Family may find discarded food wrappings in unexpected places.

• Unusually high amount of spending on food. Sufferers may hide food bills, or even get into some financial difficulties.

Many people with binge eating disorder are overweight or obese, but this is not always the case. After binging, they do not follow the extreme compensatory methods to try to control their weight that people with Bulimia Nervosa or Anorexia do (such as purging by vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, or by extreme exercising),

However, a history of constant dieting attempts (yo-yo dieting) is very common, and a preoccupation with weight and body image can still be present. High levels of stress, anxiety or depression can be present, and also feelings of low self esteem or poor self worth.

People often do not seek help for the condition until later in life when they are worried about the health risks from obesity, although the behaviour often starts much earlier in their teenage years or early twenties.

This means that someone can be suffering from many of the symptoms of binge eating on their own for many years. We hope that this website may enable more people find help earlier, and also to know that they do not have to be alone in their struggle.