What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder can have a negative impact on both your physical and mental health. There are signs that indicate someone might be binge eating or has Binge Eating Disorder and there are a number of ways to get help.

This can help if:

• you eat large amounts of food in a short period of time or feel you can't stop eating

• you’re worried about your food intake

• you feel like you have to hide the amount of food you eat.

Are binge eating and Binge Eating Disorder the same thing?

Most people overeat every now and then, and it’s not uncommon to feel that you’ve eaten more than you needed to - like demolishing a whole pizza when feeling stressed. 

Binge eating is when you eat a large amount of food quickly and feel like you can't stop. While bingeing can be part of different eating disorders, like bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder (BED) has its own specific pattern. 

If you have Binge Eating Disorder you might find yourself regularly binge eating, often alone and in secret. You may keep eating even when you're uncomfortably full, feeling like you have no control in the moment and feeling guilt or shame afterwards. 

Bingeing often happens during times of stress, anger, boredom or distress, and is used as a way of coping with difficult emotions. What makes BED different from other eating disorders is that you don't try to 'make up for' the binges by doing things like making yourself sick or over-exercising.

Common signs of Binge Eating Disorder

Some of the common signs of Binge Eating Disorder are:

• feeling that your eating is out of control

• eating what most people would consider to be a large amount of food on a regular basis

• overeating to the point of feeling uncomfortable

• eating large amounts of food, even when you’re not really hungry

• eating food more quickly than is considered normal

• being secretive about what you eat and when

• feeling embarrassed by the amount of food you’ve eaten

• feeling disgusted, depressed or guilty about overeating.

What are the common reasons for binge eating?

Binge eating can be triggered by various factors, including:

• emotional stress or distress

• restrictive dieting or food deprivation

• poor body image or low self-esteem

• anxiety and/or depression

• boredom or loneliness

• hormonal changes

• genetic predisposition

• trauma or past experiences.

Binge eating and Binge Eating Disorder are complex issues, and the reasons can be different for each person.

What are some strategies to control binge eating?

It’s important to seek support if you’re trying to manage binge eating or suspect you have Binge Eating Disorder. While you’re waiting to see a professional, here are some strategies that may help:

• keep a diary to identify triggers and patterns

• practise mindful eating

• develop a regular eating schedule

• avoid restrictive dieting

• manage stress through relaxation techniques or exercise

• seek support from friends, family, or a support group

• challenge negative thoughts about food and body image

• learn to recognise, accept and cope with emotions without using food

• get enough sleep and stay hydrated

• seek professional support.

Find help for binge eating and Binge Eating Disorder

If you're struggling with binge eating or think you may have Binge Eating Disorder, there are people who can help. Taking the first step to get support is really brave. Here's where you can find help right now:

Immediate support

• Call the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 33 4673.

• Call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

• Talk to your GP – they can create a mental health plan and connect you with specialists.

Professional help

Ask your GP about seeing a:

• psychologist who specialises in eating disorders

• dietitian who understands eating disorders

• mental health professional at your local headspace.

Online support

• Butterfly Foundation has a free online chat service.

• InsideOut Institute has online therapy programs and tools.

• ReachOut PeerChat is a free, text based chat service with an experienced peer worker.

• ReachOut Online Community is a forum of young people who share their experiences with other young people.