Updated June 08, 2015.

As many as 2 to 5 percent of Americans have a binge-eating disorder.

Binge-eating disorder typically involves recurrent episodes of out-of-control eating, with the same binge-eating symptoms as those with bulimia. The main difference when compared to bulimia is that binge-eaters do not purge their bodies of excess calories. Therefore, many with the disorder tend to be overweight.

Binge-eating disorder is associated with feelings of self-disgust and shame, and these feelings often trigger additional binge-eating, creating a cycle of binge eating.

Symptoms of Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-eating episodes are associated with the following symptoms:

• excessive eating in a fixed timeframe
• eating much more rapidly than normal
• eating until feeling uncomfortably full
• eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
• eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
• feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating
• marked distress about the binge-eating behavior

The binge eating typically occurs, on average, at least 2 days a week for 6 months
MORE INFORMATION

Find out more about the specific types of eating disorders and treatments now:

• What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders
• Anorexia Nervosa
  
• Bulimia Nervosa
  
• Binge-Eating Disorder
  
• Treatment Strategies
  
• Research Findings and Directions
  
• More Help With Eating Disorders
  
• Eating Disorder References