Binge Eating Disorder
An eating disorder with recurrent binge episodes, loss of control and marked distress, without regular compensatory behaviours; body weight varies and is not a diagnostic shortcut or the primary therapy target.
Definition
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder characterised by recurrent binge-eating episodes with a sense of loss of control and marked distress, often accompanied by rapid eating, eating without hunger, secrecy and guilt, without regular inappropriate compensatory behaviour.
First principles
The defining feature is binge eating with loss of control
A binge is an episode of eating an unusually large amount in a discrete period together with a sense of loss of control. Binge eating disorder adds recurrent associated features such as rapid eating, eating when not hungry, eating alone because of embarrassment and guilt or disgust afterwards, with marked distress and no regular compensatory behaviour.
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