Binge Eating Disorder Overview
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a serious mental health condition that involves repeated episodes of eating large quantities of food, often quickly and to the point of discomfort. Unlike bulimia, individuals with BED do not regularly engage in purging behaviours (e.g., vomiting or excessive exercise), which often leads to physical and emotional health challenges.
BED is the most common eating disorder worldwide, affecting people of all ages, genders, body types, and backgrounds. The DSM-5 formally recognised it as a distinct diagnosis in 2013. Many people with BED struggle in silence due to shame, misunderstanding, or misdiagnosis.
Core features of binge eating disorder:
- Eating unusually large amounts of food in a short time (within 2 hours)
- Feeling out of control during these episodes
- Experiencing distress, guilt, or shame afterward
- No regular purging behaviours, unlike in bulimia
Binge episodes often occur in private and may be planned or impulsive. Foods consumed tend to be high in sugar, fat, or carbohydrates. People may eat even when they’re not hungry or continue eating past the point of fullness.
Emotional signs of binge eating disorder include:
- Depression or anxiety
- Low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction
- Social withdrawal
- Difficulty managing stress or emotions
In South Africa, cultural taboos, weight stigma, and limited mental health access can make BED harder to detect and treat. People often struggle with BED for years before seeking help, especially when their weight looks “normal” or others wrongly assume they simply “overeat.”
BED is not about willpower or laziness. Brain chemistry, emotional regulation, and often past trauma or stress cause this legitimate psychiatric disorder.
With the right treatment, recovery is absolutely possible. Understanding the condition is the first step toward healing.
👉 [Next: Causes and Risk Factors of Binge Eating Disorder]
