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Binge Eating

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Definition

Binge eating is a disorder in which people eat more than they need to satisfy their hunger .



Alternative names

Eating - binge



Causes

The cause is unknown. However, binge eating often begins during or after strict dieting. It may be caused by the stress of not eating enough food.



Definition

Binge eating is a disorder in which people eat more than they need to satisfy their hunger.

Alternative names

Eating - binge

Causes

The cause is unknown. However, binge eating often begins during or after strict dieting. It may be caused by the stress of not eating enough food.

Considerations

The eating disorder bulimia is most common among female adolescents and young adults. People with bulimia typically eat large amounts of high-calorie foods, usually in secret. After this binge eating they often force themselves to vomit. They have feelings of guilt or depression.

Complications from long-term bulimia include:

Constipation and hemorrhoids are also common in people with bulimia.

Although death from bulimia is rare, the disorder can last for years. It can be as severe as, or more severe than anorexia nervosa.

Care

Take steps to reduce your stress and improve your overall health.

Medication is usually not needed for this disorder. However, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants.

Supportive care and counseling are recommended. Individual, group, family, and behavioral therapy may help.

When to contact a medical professional

Call your health care provider if you think you might have bulimia.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

The health care provider will perform a physical examination. The doctor may ask one or more of your family members for a history of your eating patterns if you do not acknowledge that you are binge eating.

The health care provider may ask the following medical history questions:

  • How long has this been occurring?
  • Are you also "purging" (such as forcing yourself to vomit or abusing laxatives)?
  • What other symptoms do you have?

Possible diagnostic tests include blood studies, such as electrolyte levels.

INTERVENTION

Behavior is usually controlled with:

  • Biofeedback training
  • Counseling
  • Individual or group psychotherapy

References

Am J Psychiatry.

Content provided by:

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Review Date: .1/15/2009

Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by Verimed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.1/15/2009

Binge Eating Videos

Binge Eating Articles

  • What Is a Binge Eating Disorder?

    binge eating disorder is the most common of several eating disorders that affect both men and women. People with binge eating disorder regularly overeat, even when they're not hungry, and experienc...

  • 5 Things You Need to Know About Binge Eating

    binge eating is a condition when you compulsively overeat. While most people eat 1,500 to 3,000 calories in a day, binge eaters gulp down 10,000 to 20,000 during a single binge. Unlike bulimia, pe...

  • How to Stop Binge Eating

    Identify your binge triggers to help you banish the behavior. Look at your patterns. Do you binge after a stressful work day, before events that make you nervous or when you are lonely or bored? Al...

  • How to Cure Binge Eating Disorder

    ...nd a therapist who specializes in binge eating disorders. Most clinicians who work with eating disorders practice cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses the underlying issues that cause t...

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Related Symptoms

  • Binge eating

    Binge eating is a disorder in which people eat more than they need to satisfy their hunger.

Related Diseases

  • Bulimia

    ...has regular episodes of significant overeating and feels a loss of control. The affected person then uses various ...

  • Borderline personality disorder

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  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

    PMDD

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Conversations On Binge Eating

  • Binge eating


    • Posted On December 13, 2006 11:25:00 PM

      ...ecently in my times of lack of control, binged and then purged. Im saddend to begin, and want to stop myself. I just want to be happy, and I wonder if any other people have any views on what is ... Read More

    • Posted On February 9, 2007 12:34:25 PM

      ...l starve myself as a punishment for the binge. I KNOW this is not the right way to go about things, but what can ya do, right? I think that The Plate is helping though, cause I know I will have ... Read More

  • Binge eating

    ... three days I have been on a horrendous binge!  This is out of control! Ever since I weighed in Monday at 168, I have been living with my head in the clouds and can not see the light of da...

    • Posted On April 15, 2009 09:19:34 PM

      ... four or five days out of the week but bing two days out of the week because you've been good? I am finding out that trying to cheat the system, is robbing myself of a healthy life, especiall... Read More

    • Posted On April 17, 2009 03:03:05 AM

      ...p; I totally understand the problem of binge eating after meeting a goal. Been there, done that! My thought are: 1)For you to enjoy your cruise and being with family and friends, you need to ... Read More

  • binge eating..


    • Posted On February 11, 2008 07:03:49 PM

      ...saying that I'll do better.. I'll never binge again starting tomorrow.. but somehow.. I always do. I need help. I need to find a way to control myself and I need a support system or something. ... Read More

    • Posted On February 11, 2008 08:03:14 PM

      ...ou that I understand. I often begin my binge as soon as I get home from work. I don't feel the need to purge, but the urge to binge is almost overwhelming. Just know that someone else feels t... Read More

  • binge eating


    • Posted On June 11, 2008 04:00:01 PM

      ...ts usually very unhealthy things when i eat all healthy things throughout the day. i tell myself ill just take one bite and be done but that turns into a bite of this and a bite of that and i kn... Read More

    • Posted On June 11, 2008 04:10:49 PM

      ... a couple of months, but then I go on a binge also either early morning or late night - but usually late night. I feel guilty and disgusting and tell myself to stop, but for some reason I just ... Read More

  • binge eating...:/


    • Posted On March 16, 2008 08:46:39 AM

      ...ndering if you have any tips to control binge eating late at night. I feel like right after dinner (even when im not hungry) I just want to eat..and I eat EVERYTHING...sometimes its healthy foo... Read More

    • Posted On March 16, 2008 09:05:08 AM

      Make sure you are eating enough earlier in the day so you aren't starving by dinner and after that. I'm usually hungry after dinner, so I plan this: Breakfast Snack Lunch Snack Dinner Snack... Read More

  • Dares - Stop Binge Eating


    • Posted On December 30, 2008 05:32:11 PM

      ...anged? I.E Instead of 'How much did you eat today' which can't be answered yes or no, something like 'Did you overeat today'. Thanks for your time. Read More

    • Posted On December 31, 2008 09:57:00 AM

      Great point! I've updated the Dare. Read More

Show More

Binge Eating Blogs

Do You Have Binge Eating Disorder?

Is it an eating disorder or lack of willpower? Maggie Baumann, MA: In one of my recent posts I wrote about eight common myths associated with eating disorders. I received a couple of comments about one myth that is often overlooked. The myth is...

4 questions to help men who binge

yesterday, i was talking about the issues faced by men who are dealing with binge eating disorder. this was a follow-up on the promise i had made to talk about men and obesity quite a while ago. before i continue on this topic, let me make it clear that...

When a binge is simply overeating

Disorder My dog would be a candidate for the dachshund chapter of overeaters anonymous if I did not keep a careful eye on how much and what he eats. Although he weighs a very long 11 pounds, he could probably consume half his weight in roasted chicken or...

BED: America’s Most Common Eating Disorder

Credit: _rockinfree Ever heard of BED? (And no, I’m not talking about what you sleep on at night.) BED stands for Binge Eating Disorder, and it’s quietly become America’s No.1 eating disorder. In fact, 1 in 35 suffer from BED, and...

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Binge Eating Topic Guide

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What makes this topic important to you: Did you train for this? Do you work in this profession? Are you affected by this topic?

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Connect With People Who Have Binge Eating

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Connect with Binge Eating Dares & Groups

Stop binge eating

- 1,717 members

Stop Binge eating so you can establish a healthy relationship with food and maintain a healthy weight. Binge eating can be a signal you need to deal with underlying emotional issues before proceed...

I Don't Want to Binge Again!

- 22 Members

We all struggle with binge eating now and again; this is a place to come for support when you feel a binge coming on. Put down that food, step away from the frig, and post here to get support to ge...

Binge Eaters

- 1 Members

Work on controlling binge eating, especially after 8 PM.

I will NOT binge on holidays!!!!!

- 6 Members

...up if u are bound and determined NOT to binge on the holidays.

Stop Me Before I Binge Again!

- 34 Members

We all struggle with binge eating now and again; this is a place to come for support when you feel a binge coming on. Put down that food, step away from the frig, and post here to get support to ge...

Show More

Write for LIVESTRONG.COM

Write for us

Do you work in health, fitness or nutrition? Share your expertise by writing for LIVESTRONG.COM

Learn More

Talk

wellnessjournal: Is binge eating a psychiatric disorder?: http://wellnessjournal.org/i/----------Is-binge-eating-a-psychiatric-disorder/

blaketherapy: Controversial RT @DrShepp: Should binge eating disorder be a seperate eating disorder diagnosis? http://bit.ly/52yD8U - ur thoughts?

TARA12345: RT @cchrint: Psychiatrists want 'binge eating' as official mental disorder-millions of overweight Americans could be profitable target h ...

iamic: RT @cchrint Psychiatrists want 'binge eating' official mental disorder-mill's of overweight Americans cld be profit. target http://3.ly/QfB

judithwalden: RT @cchrint: Psychiatrists want 'binge eating' as official mental disorder-millions of overweight Americans could be profitable target h ...

Additional Reading



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