Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Common Signs of BED

 Some typical behaviors of individuals with BED include:

• Eating much faster than normal
• Eating until uncomfortably full
• Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
• Eating alone
• A long history of repeated dieting

Common Symptoms of BED

The symptoms of BED are recurrent episodes of binge eating, along with:

• A sense of loss of control over when, what, or how much one is eating
• Feelings of disgust, embarrassment, or guilt about overeating
• Elevated levels of distress about weight, shape, and eating

Psychiatric Symptoms

Psychiatric symptoms in individuals with BED may include:

• Anxiety
• Impulsivity
• Mood swings
• Personality difficulties related to perfectionism
• Substance use problems
• Trouble coping with intense emotions

Individuals with BED often are overweight or obese. However, there is a minority of binge eaters with no history of overweight.