Although binge-eating disorder (BED) is not yet an official diagnosis according to the American Psychiatric Association, you may know someone who goes on compulsive food binges. This isn't like chowing down for holidays, or gorging on popcorn while watching a scary movie. You can almost sense the powerful urge that's connected with this kind of overeating. Researchers recognize it, too, and some say it's almost twice as common as anorexia or bulimia. Someone who is a binge eater is likely to be overweight and unhappy about it. BED is defined as recurrent episodes of binge eating - eating an excessive amount of food in a short period of time, while feeling a sense of lack of control.
Physical symptoms of BED include eating though not feeling hungry and continuing until feeling uncomfortably full. The binge eating occurs at least two days a week for six months and consists of high-fat, high-calorie foods like chips and ice cream. Weight gain is evident and the binge eating is not associated with purging, fasting, or excessive exercise.
Emotionally, those with BED may be using binges as a way to hide from their emotions, to fill a void they feel inside, or to cope with daily stresses and problems in their lives. The individual may feel disgusted with himself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating. There is clear distress about the binge-eating behavior. Many with the disorder are overweight for their age and height. Feelings of self-disgust and shame associated with this illness can lead to bingeing again, creating a cycle of binge eating.
Compulsive overeating is what some would call an "eating addiction" - eating more food than is needed, in situations where it makes no sense. Of all the eating disorders, it's one that affects men and boys almost as much as women and girls. It's different from binge eating in that it occurs on a more regular basis. It's "emotional eating" in that people may use food and eating as a way to hide from their emotions, to fill an inner void or to cope with stress.
Symptoms displayed by compulsive overeaters include diseases associated with obesity, because they tend to be overweight. It is the emotional aspects of overeating that can be particularly strong. For instance, the excess weight may protect a person from dealing with potentially painful relationships. Often, though, the very feelings that the eating is meant to soothe come back because of the eating. In a negative cycle for compulsive overeaters; the guilt, shame, and low self-esteem caused by their overweight may trigger them to eat more.
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