Signs, Symptoms & Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States and can be diagnosed at any weight. However, it is treatable and you can experience a full recovery.

People with BED might consume large portions of food in a short timespan, despite a lack of hunger. Emotional stress or trauma can trigger an episode of binging, and these behaviors might provide a sense of relief in the short term, followed by regret or shame. BED, in these instances, is a means to manage anxiety and distress by utilizing food to numb painful emotions. Other notable characteristics include a feeling of loss of control while eating, and the absence of purging, excessive exercise, diuretic or laxative use that is required for a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa.

Signs of Binge Eating Disorder include:

  • Eating past the point of fullness to the point of physical discomfort
  • Eating at a rapid pace
  • Eating in secret or hiding that food has been consumed
  • Obsessive thinking or talking about food
  • Intense focus on body weight, shape, and appearance
  • Eating substantial portions of food or snacks even when not hungry
  • Spending extraordinary amounts of money on food and groceries
  • Stealing or hoarding food
  • Distress and constant focus on body dissatisfaction and distorted image of self
  • Ritualistic eating and exercise patterns

Regardless of body shape and size, each patient requires nutritional restoration. To learn more about our nutrition approach, the E.A.T. model, click here.

Often those suffering from BED have histories of repeated dieting, weight fluctuations, social stigma, isolation and loneliness.

Our Approach to Patient Care

If you are struggling with BED, we see you and we are here for you. You have not failed diet programs; they have failed you. Restrictive eating of any kind makes an individual vulnerable to binge eating as the body cries out for nourishment. At Reasons Eating Disorder Center, we do not believe in diets as a treatment for binge eating disorder. Instead, we take a non-judgmental and compassionate approach that emphasizes acceptance, regular eating, and helping you heal from shame, stigma, and isolation. Let us work together to rebuild your relationship with food.

We believe that eating disorders are driven by anxiety and profound disruptions to the sufferers’ sense of self. We offer our patients hope, rooted in the belief that they are capable of living an authentic life of meaning and connectedness. Whether you need inpatient or residential treatment, eating disorder recovery is within reach for you. Our goal is to create a culture that nurtures the integration of body and mind through daily practice.

At Reasons, we tailor treatment plans to the needs of each patient for each level of care, restoring physical and mental health as you go through the therapy process and discover new ways to enjoy your life, your spirit and your physical self. From somatic therapies to individualized meal plans, our staff will customize a treatment plan and schedule that will help you down the path toward wholeness.

In an effort to treat the “whole person” instead of just their symptoms, we also target co-occurring disorders in our patients. If you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, ADHD, or complex PTSD, binge eating may be a symptom or complication of other mental health issues. At Reasons, we see these issues as interconnected. It’s not just about treating a mental health disorder and the eating disorder separately. We must address both for the greatest chance at recovery.

If you’re seeking an outpatient, residential or inpatient binge eating disorder treatment program, Reason’s gender-inclusive programs help adolescents and adults across multiple levels of care. Our ability to handle acute medical issues and provide specialized nursing care differentiates our services from other binge eating disorder treatment centers in the region.

We Hold Hope for Your Recovery

Eating disorder recovery is not always easy, but it is possible. Let us support you in discovering not only the reasons for your eating disorder but the reasons for your recovery. To schedule a no-cost clinical consultation or for more information, please call 844-573-2766 or use our online contact form. In case of a medical emergency or crisis, please call 911 or seek the nearest emergency room.

Eating Disorder Recovery is Possible

We understand that there are reasons for your eating disorder. We’re here to stand with you during this difficult time. Let’s work together to discover the reasons for your recovery.