Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurring episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food in a short period of time. People with BED feel a lack of control over their eating during these episodes and often conceal their symptoms due to feelings of shame and depression afterwards. BED affects about 5% of women in particular. While the exact causes are unknown, genetics and other factors like depression may play a role. Symptoms include discreetly consuming an abnormally large amount of food without control and experiencing distress, shame, and discomfort afterwards.

1. CNS Center AZ
http://www.cnscenteraz.com/

2. Consuming food on a daily basis is
a normal human characteristic.
After all, we eat to survive.
However, it is not normal when we
eat in excess especially in amounts
that is seen as too much.

3. Now, what is binge eating
disorder?

4. Binge eating disorder, or BED, is a disease wherein a
person has recurring episodes of eating in excess or an
abnormally large amount of food than what a person
would usually eat. The key term here is the amount of
food being consumed in just one sitting. Usually those
who suffer from BED are self-conscious about their
eating habits and would often conceal their symptoms
from others especially to the people closest to them.
This results into another characteristic of binge eating:
doing it in secrecy. It is also because of this that they
would feel depressed and would constantly feel self-
shame after each episode, thus creating this poor body
image for the victim. Furthermore, these cravings are
insatiable and choose no time of the day when striking.

5. In terms of demographic, women
tend to suffer from BED more
frequently than men, wherein the
former is composed of 5% of the
population.

6. It is interesting to note that it is still
unknown what causes BED. However,
because of how it affects people, it has
been placed in the DSMV with calls for
increased awareness and understanding
for this disease in order to improve the
quality of life of those suffering from it.
Some experts link genetics to BED while
some would relate it to other diseases
such as depression or lifestyle.

7. Now, what are the
symptoms associated with
BED?

8. Symptoms that are associated with
binge-eating disorder would include
discreet consummation of food that
is larger than most people would eat
under a similar instance and in a
distinct period of time, as well as lack
of control during this period.

9. There are also other things that are
associated during a binge eating
period such as distress, depression,
eating even if one is not hungry,
self-shame and eating until one is
uncomfortably full.

10. One is considered a binge eater if
one experiences such episode
consistently at least once in a week
for three months.

11. It is also to be noted that binge eating is
not always related to bulimia and/or
anorexia though it can be in some cases.
Furthermore, though body weight is
commonly being associated by everyone
to this condition (with a majority
suffering from it either overweight or
obese), it is important to know that it is
possible that binge-eaters can also sport a
normal weight.