5 Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms to Be Aware Of
Is there someone you know eating too much? Do they seem to eat at all times of the day even when they should be full? They may have an eating disorder. If you or someone you care for is binge eating, then there might be a problem present. There are binge eating disorder symptoms to look for if you or someone else do have an eating disorder.
According to the National Institute on Mental Health, a person with binge-eating disorder loses control over his or her eating. As a result, people with a binge-eating disorder are often overweight or obese. People that have a binge-eating disorder are also at higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.
What are the 5 Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms to Be Aware of?
Someone affected by binge eating disorder will likely have some sort of emotional connection with food.
It might be hard to tell if a person has a binge-eating problem. Being overweight or obese does not necessarily mean they have a binge-eating disorder. People that overeat usually eat small snacks of food throughout the day, leading to weight gain. Binge-eaters usually eat large amounts of food in a very short time. To be more certain, here are 5 binge eating disorder symptoms to be aware of:
- Loss Control of Eating: Not having the ability to stop eating, or control the amount of food being eaten.
- Eating When Full: Even if a person is full, they will continue to eat more.
- Eating Fast: When there is a binge-eating episode food will be consumed in a very quick manner. Eating it much faster than usual.
- Eating All Day with No Planned Mealtimes: A binge-eater will eat continuously throughout the day, regardless if it is not time for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Hiding Food: Binge-eaters will often stockpile food and hide it so they can eat it at a later time, usually in secret.
The binge eating disorder symptoms are not limited to the ones mentioned above. Not all signs are physical symptoms. There can be behavioral and emotional symptoms as well.
Additionally, according to the National Institute on Mental Health, binge-eaters also experience shame, guilt, and distress after their binge eating episodes, which can lead to more binge-eating.
What are Some Emotional Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms?
A binge-eater can often hide their emotions, making it hard to know if they have an eating disorder. More so if they continuously want to be alone. Some of the emotional symptoms that might be noticed include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Feeling isolated
- Feeling disgusted about their eating
- Embarrassment
Binge-eaters can also feel desperate to control their weight, but fail to do so. They relieve their stress and tension by eating.
Is There Help for Someone Showing Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms?
If you or your loved one are familiar with the symptoms above and feel that a binge-eating disorder is the cause, then seeking treatment should be a priority. By speaking to a qualified counselor on eating disorders, a treatment plan can be created to help in developing a healthier relationship with food. They can talk to you about the various therapies available for treating binge eating disorder.
