Binge Eating

What Is Binge Eating?

Binge eating involves consuming unusually large amounts of food in a discrete period (typically less than 2 hours) while experiencing a sense of loss of control-feeling like you can't stop eating or control what or how much you're eating.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), binge eating is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting approximately 2.8% of American adults at some point in their lives.

It's important to distinguish between occasional overeating (which everyone does sometimes) and binge eating. The key difference is the loss of control and the distress that follows.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge Eating Disorder is a recognised clinical diagnosis in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). It's characterized by:

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating (at least once a week for 3 months)
• Eating much more rapidly than normal
• Eating until uncomfortably full
• Eating large amounts when not physically hungry
• Eating alone due to embarrassment about quantity
• Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterward
• Marked distress about binge eating
• No regular compensatory behaviours (unlike bulimia nervosa)

BED is more than just overeating or emotional eating. It's a serious mental health condition with significant impacts on physical and emotional well-being.

Signs and Symptoms

Recognizing binge eating can be difficult, especially because people often hide their eating behaviours due to shame. Here are signs to be aware of:

Behavioral Signs

• Eating in secret or hiding food
• Eating normally around others but bingeing alone
• Hoarding or stockpiling food
• Disappearance of large amounts of food
• Frequent dieting without weight loss
• Scheduling time for binge episodes
• Withdrawing from social activities

Emotional Signs

• Feeling out of control during eating
• Intense guilt, shame, or disgust after eating
• Using food to cope with negative emotions
• Feeling numb or "zoned out" while eating
• Depression or anxiety related to eating
• Low self-esteem, especially related to body image

Physical Signs

• Weight fluctuations
• Gastrointestinal issues (bloating, constipation, acid reflux)
• Fatigue or difficulty concentrating
• Joint pain from excess weight

The Restriction-Binge Cycle

One of the most important concepts in understanding binge eating is the restriction-binge cycle. Research consistently shows that dietary restriction often precedes and triggers binge eating.

This cycle explains why strict dieting often backfires. The biological and psychological deprivation from restriction creates conditions that make bingeing more likely, not less.

Treatment Approaches

Binge Eating Disorder is treatable. Research shows that several approaches are effective, often used in combination:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is considered the gold-standard treatment for BED. It focuses on identifying and changing the thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to binge eating. CBT helps you:

• Recognize triggers for binge eating
• Challenge unhelpful thoughts about food, weight, and self-worth
• Develop healthier coping strategies
• Establish regular eating patterns

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT was originally developed for borderline personality disorder but has been adapted for eating disorders. It teaches skills in:

• Mindfulness - being present without judgment
• Distress tolerance - surviving crises without making things worse
• Emotion regulation - understanding and managing emotions
• Interpersonal effectiveness - navigating relationships

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

IPT focuses on improving interpersonal relationships and addressing social issues that may contribute to binge eating. It recognises that relationship problems, life transitions, and social isolation can trigger emotional eating.

Medication

In some cases, medication may be helpful alongside therapy. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is FDA-approved specifically for BED. Some antidepressants may also help. Medication should always be discussed with a psychiatrist or physician.

How Our Tool Can Help (And Its Limits)

The Fast Pause app can be a helpful complement to professional treatment-but it is not a replacement for it.

What the Pause Tool Can Do

• Help you practice pausing before eating (building awareness)
• Guide you through naming emotions (affect labelling)
• Support mindfulness techniques like urge surfing
• Track patterns to share with your therapist
• Provide a moment of space between urge and action

What It Cannot Do

• Diagnose or treat Binge Eating Disorder
• Replace professional therapy or medical care
• Address underlying trauma or mental health conditions
• Provide crisis support when you need it most

Additional Resources

Organizations and research referenced in this article:

• Binge Eating Disorder Overview - NEDA
• Eating Disorder Statistics - NIMH
• Dieting and binge eating - International Journal of Eating Disorders
• CBT for Binge Eating Disorder - Behaviour Research and Therapy
• DBT for Binge Eating - Eating Behaviors
• Interpersonal Therapy for Binge Eating - Archives of General Psychiatry
• FDA: Vyvanse for BED
• Eating Problems - Mind UK
• Get Information and Support - Beat UK