Did you know that binge eating can be a serious medical condition that carries a formal diagnosis? In fact, Binge Eating Disorder (BED) affects approximately 2.8 million adults in the US alone. So what are the signs and symptoms of binge eating?
Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating
1. Consuming a large quantity of food (more than what most adults would eat under similar circumstances) in a discreet period of time (like 2 hours). Individuals often feel a sense of urgency or lack of control while doing so.
2. Binge eating, on average, at least once a week for three months.
3. Experiencing some of the following in conjunction with the bingeing:
- Eating really fast
- Eating beyond full
- Eating when not really hungry
- Eating in secret
- Feeling disgusted or embarrassed afterwards
As you can see, simply over-eating at a dinner party, during a holiday event, or when enjoying your favorite food does not necessarily mean you have BED. Often people with BED believe they lack willpower. In truth, BED has nothing to do with willpower. Many people with BED have suffered for many years without realizing that it is actually a very real medical problem with specific treatments that can help. In a future post, I’ll detail some of these treatments.
If you or a loved one needs to seek help for an eating disorder, give us a call at (646) 414-1446 or schedule a consultation today.