Characteristics of Binge-Eating Disorder
Bridget Engel, Psy.D., edited by Kathryn Patricelli, MABinge eating disorder was recognized in the DSM-5 for the first time as an official disorder. It is estimated that 1.6% of females and 0.8% of males in the U.S. have binge-eating disorder. Binge eating is more common in people who are seeking weight-loss treatment than those in the general population. Research indicates that people from different ethnic and racial backgrounds are affected equally.
To be diagnosed with Binge-Eating Disorder, a person must:
- have ongoing episodes of binge eating that happen, on average, at least once a week for 3 month. Binge eating is characterized by the amount of food eaten in a 2-hour period that is larger than what most people would eat in similar circumstances. It also involves a lack of control over eating during that episode. The person may feel like they can't stop eating or control what they are eating.
These binge-eating episodes must have 3 of the following present:
- Eating much more rapidly than normal
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
- Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
- Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much is being eaten
- Feeling disgusted, depressed or very guilty after the eating binge
The person must also feel distressed about their binge eating.
The binge eating cannot be part of the ongoing use of correcting behaviors as part of bulimia, and do not happen only as part of bulimia or anorexia.
The severity of binge eating disorder is classified based on the number of binge-eating episodes that occur in a week. Those levels are:
- Mild - 1 to 3
- Moderate - 4 to 7
- Severe - 8 to 13
- Extreme - 14 or more
Health Complications
Unlike with bulimia, people with binge-eating disorder do not show correcting behaviors, such as vomiting, exercising or misusing laxatives and diuretics. While this ultimately makes them physically healthier than those with bulimia, they often gain weight as a result of high-calorie food consumption. People with Binge-Eating Disorder often suffer from health complications due to being overweight. They may have:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- gallbladder disease
- heart disease
- respiratory problems
- menstrual irregularities
- bone and joint deterioration
- arthritis
- certain types of cancer
Resources
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Articles
- What are Eating Disorders?
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Eating Disorder Causes and Maintaining Factors
- Causes of Eating Disorders - Biological Factors
- Causes of Eating Disorders - Biological Factors Continued
- Causes of Eating Disorders - Personality Traits and Missing Skills
- Causes of Eating Disorders - Family Influences
- Causes of Eating Disorders - Cultural Influences
- Eating Disorder Maintaining Factors
- Eating Disorder Maintaining Factors Continued
- Other Eating Disorder Maintaining Factors
- Characteristis of Eating Disorders
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Eating Disorder Treatment & Prevention
- Eating Disorder Professional Treatment - Nutritional Rehabilitation
- Eating Disorder Professional Treatment - Individual Psychotherapy
- Eating Disorder Professional Treatment - Individual Psychotherapy Continued
- Eating Disorder Professional Treatment - Inpatient and Residential
- Eating Disorder Professional Treatment - Group Therapy and Peer Support
- Eating Disorder Professional Treatment - Family Therapy
- Prevention of Eating Disorders
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Questions and Answers
- Eating Disorder or Overreacting?
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- I Have Bulimia
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- Husband's Weight Problem
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- When Psychotherapy Does Not Help
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- I don't like to eat.
- Help?
- Where do i start to get on the road to recovery
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Book & Media Reviews
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Links
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Videos
- Anorexia: What Therapists and Parents Need to Know
- Eating Disorders Myths Busted- Myth # 1: You can tell by looking at someone
- Eating Disorders Myths Busted- Myth #9: Eating Disorders are for Life
- Eating Disorders Myths Busted- Myth #3: Mothers are to Blame
- Eating Disorders Myths Busted- Myth #2: Families are to Blame
- Eating Disorders Myths Busted- Myth #8: Genes are Destiny
- Eating Disorders Myths Busted- Myth #7: Society Alone to Blame
- Eating Disorders Myths Busted- Myth # 6: Eating Disorders are Benign
- Eating Disorders Myths Busted- Myth #4: Eating Disorders are a Choice
- Myth # 5: Eating Disorders are the province of white upper-middle class teenage girls
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- Mental Health Minute: Eating Disorders
- Pediatrics: Child Eating Disorders - Part 2
- Pediatrics: Child Eating Disorders - Part 1
- Not Falling For It: How to Challenge Toxic Media Messages about Food, Weight, and Body Image
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- Eating Disorder Treatment Blogging Series - Part 2
- Eating Disorder Treatment Blogging Series - Part 3
- Eating and Body Dysmorphic Disorders
- Eating Disorders from the Inside Out
- Eating Disorders Part 2: Recent Advances in Treatment
- Eating Disorders Part 1: How to Prevent Identify and Intervene Early
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