Binge Eating Disorder is defined as recurrent episodes of intense eating, including:
Eating large amounts of food in a discrete period.
Eating in secret, coupled with a sense of lack of control.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Eating very rapidly
- Weight gain
- Feeling out of control about eating
- Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
- Low self-esteem
- Depression, Anxiety
- Fluctuations in weight
- Loss of sexual desire
- Hiding food
- Feelings of guilt and shame
- Going on many different diets
- Belief that life will be better if they lose weight
- Secretive eating patterns
Physical/Medical Complications:
- Obesity
- Menstrual irregularities
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Osteoarthritis
- Decreased mobility
- Shortness of breath
- Heart disease
- Liver and kidney problems
- Cardiac arrest and/or death
Sources: Center For Eating Disorders, Mirror Mirror
