Binge Eating
Disorder
Binge eating disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of eating abnormally large amounts of food -- ten times or more what is considered average: a half gallon of ice cream or several whole pans of brownies at one sitting. People with this illness are unable to control what they eat or how much they eat. They feel driven to eat and are unable to stop once they start until they feel uncomfortably full -- even gorging to the point of being in pain.
Binge eating disorder resembles bulimia nervosa except that sufferers do not purge their bodies of excess food through vomiting or laxatives. Because of the amounts of food they eat, people with this eating disorder are usually obese and have a history of extreme weight fluctations. They have more difficulty losing weight and keeping it off that do people with other weight problems.
People with binge eating distorder are ashamed of the way they eat and hide their illness. Some may participate in weight loss programs but because of their hidden binges, are not able to be successful. It is important to seek qualified professional help who can find a treatment that will work to overcome their bingeing urges.
Learn more about binge eating disorder
Symptoms and Signs
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