Most commonly known as "compulsive overeating," Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is gaining more recognition among mental health professionals as an actual type of eating disorder.  It has not yet been defined as a diagnosis in and of itself, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa have, but it does fit the diagnostic category of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.  This category is used when people have various symptoms of eating disorders but don't fit a specific diagnosis based on the criteria that need to be met for that diagnosis.  BED is expected to be identified as another specific type of eating disorder in the 2013 edition of the manual used to define psychiatric disorders.

Most people do not even realize they have Binge Eating Disorder (BED).  It is often developed by those who chronically diet and it is estimated that at least 33% of those who start commerical diet programs, like Weight Watchers, have BED.  Because they just see themselves as failures for falling off of diets and going back to "bad eating habits" they don't realize there is much more to why this happens both emotionally and physiologically.

People who develop BED have difficulty controlling their eating.  They repeatedly attempt to lose weight by engaging in more and more extreme methods of weight loss.  Usually, any weight lost on a diet is quickly regained along with additional weight once the diet ends.  We know someone has BED when the following occurs:

1. A person experiences recurring episodes of bingeing.  Bingeing is defined as eating a large amount of food in a short period of time.  During the binge it is common to feel out of control such that there is the sense that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much is eaten.
2. During binges one may eat: Much more rapidly than normal; until physically uncomfortable; large amounts of food even though not hungry; alone because of being embarrassed by how much one eats; and the person often feels disgusted with himself or herself, depressed or very guilty after overeating.
3. The person experiences marked distress because binges occur.

Frequently, binge eating is triggered by feelings of depression, anxiety, tension, boredom and/or anger.  People report that the food has a calming effect over these feelings until the binge is over, at which time they often berate themselves for having eaten what they did.  It is typical for those with BED to eat throughout the day with no planned mealtimes or to "be good" all day by restricting their intake only to end up bingeing from about 4:00 p.m. on through the rest of the night.

Most men and women with BED are overweight, have long histories of repeated diet attempts and tend to feel desperate about why they can't control their intake.  Some will continue to seek out diet programs searching tor that final weight loss cure that is always promised, while others give up efforts to diet due the repeated lack of success.

Those with BED frequently report that their eating and weight issues interfere with relationships, work, social activities and most importantly, self-esteem.

Like anorexia and bulimia, BED is also treatable with psychotherapy and appropriate nutrition counseling.  What is still most unfortunate is the blatant lack of education provided to physicians about BED.  Too many MDs maintain that dieting is the only approach for weight loss and continue to shame those patients who aren't successful with diets.

MDs, as well as other health professionals, have yet to figure out that diets don't work.  Many MDs I have worked with are also resistant to accepting that BED is a real disorder, so they don't assess their overweight patients for it prior to prescribing weight loss regimens that are destined to fail.

No one, doctor or patient, can ever be successful when the symptom (weight) is being treated instead of the problem (BED).  This has been repeatedly shown with the liquid diets (which are making a comeback), prescription diet medications as well as popular fad diets.  So many of those with BED that have been told by MDs  that these methods are effective end up having a terrible time because the BED returns in full force when these methods are discontinued.

There is hope beyond dieting for those with BED.  Both the nutritional and emotional aspects of this disorder need to be treated and can be done so effectively.