Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Updated: 3 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026
Quick Answer: What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a serious condition that always involves feeling unable to stop eating and often involves eating much larger than usual amounts in a short period. People eat rapidly or in secret and feel guilt or shame, but unlike bulimia do not regularly purge. Talk therapy, especially CBT, regular eating and specialist care help. [1] [2]
What the research says
According to PubMed:
Therapy and medication reduce binge eating. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that therapist-led cognitive behavioral therapy, lisdexamfetamine, and second-generation antidepressants increased binge-eating abstinence (relative risk 4.95, 2.61, and 1.67, respectively) in adults with binge-eating disorder (Brownley et al., DOI).
Combining CBT with lisdexamfetamine did best in one trial. In a randomized trial of 141 adults with binge-eating disorder and obesity, 12-week binge-eating remission was 70.2% with combined CBT plus lisdexamfetamine, 44.7% with CBT, and 40.4% with lisdexamfetamine (Grilo et al., DOI).
CBT beat comparison treatments, but trial quality varied. A meta-analysis of 79 trials found therapist-led CBT more efficacious than wait-list and active comparisons in bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, while noting that many trials were of poor quality (Linardon et al., DOI).
Study details are from PubMed abstracts.
What exactly is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a serious condition. It always involves feeling like you're not able to stop eating, and it often involves eating much larger than usual amounts of food [1].
Almost everyone overeats on occasion, such as having seconds or thirds of a holiday meal. But regularly feeling that eating is out of control, and eating an unusually large amount of food, may be symptoms of binge eating disorder [1].
People with the condition often feel embarrassed or ashamed about eating binges. They often go through periods of trying to restrict or severely cut back on their eating as a result — but this may instead increase urges to eat and lead to a cycle of ongoing binge eating. The condition may be short-lived, may go away and come back, or may continue for years if left untreated [1].
Fact | Detail |
What it is | A serious mental health condition involving loss of control over eating and unusually large amounts of food |
Occasional overeating vs. disorder | Everyone overeats sometimes — the disorder means feeling out of control regularly, not once in a while |
Who it affects | More common in women; any age, but often begins in the late teens or early 20s |
Body weight | People may be overweight, obese, or at a healthy weight — most are unhappy about body size or shape regardless |
Key cycle | Dieting and restriction often trigger more binges, fueling a repeating loop |
Main treatment | Talk therapy (CBT, CBT-E, ICAT, dialectical behavior therapy); medication for some adults; regular eating habits |
Not the same as | Bulimia nervosa — no regular vomiting, laxative use, or excessive exercise to remove calories |
What are the symptoms of binge eating disorder?
People who have binge eating disorder may be overweight or obese, or they may be at a healthy weight. Most feel upset about their body size or shape no matter what the number on the scale is [1].
Feeling that you don't have control over your eating — for example, you can't stop once you start [1]
Often eating much larger than usual amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as over a two-hour period [1]
Eating even when you're full or not hungry, eating very fast during binges, and eating until uncomfortably full [1]
Often eating alone or in secret [1]
Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty, or upset about your eating [1]
How is binge eating disorder different from bulimia nervosa?
A person with bulimia nervosa may binge and then vomit, use laxatives, or exercise excessively to get rid of extra calories. This is not the case with binge eating disorder. People with binge eating disorder may try to diet or eat less at mealtimes to compensate, but restricting may simply lead to more binge eating [1].
What causes binge eating disorder, and who is at risk?
The causes are not known. But certain genes, how your body works, long-term dieting, and the presence of other mental health conditions increase your risk. It is more common in women than in men, and although people of any age can have it, it often begins in the late teens or early 20s [1].
Risk factor | How it raises risk |
Family history | Eating disorders in parents or siblings point to genes passed down that increase risk |
Dieting | Limiting calories throughout the day may trigger an urge to binge eat |
Negative self-image | Feeling negatively about yourself, your skills, and your accomplishments |
Emotional and situational triggers | Stress, poor body image, certain foods, or situations like parties, downtime, or driving |
What complications can follow?
Binge eating disorder can lead to problems at work or socially, weight gain and related conditions, and other mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Problems functioning at work or in social situations, and social isolation [1]
Weight gain and related conditions, including joint problems, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, GERD, poor nutrition, and some sleep-related breathing disorders [1]
Other mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts and behavior [1]
When should you seek help?
If you have any symptoms of binge eating disorder, get medical help as soon as possible. Talk with your healthcare professional or a mental health professional about your symptoms and feelings. If you're embarrassed, start with someone you trust — a friend, family member, teacher, or faith leader — who can encourage you to take the first steps [1].
Helping a loved one
Someone with binge eating disorder may become an expert at hiding the behavior because of shame and embarrassment. If you think a loved one may have symptoms, have an open and honest talk, approached with sensitivity — these are mental health conditions, and the behaviors are not the fault or choice of the person. Offer support, help them find a professional with eating disorder experience, and consider helping make an appointment or going along [1].
How is binge eating disorder diagnosed?
Your healthcare professional may recommend a mental health evaluation with someone who has expertise in treating eating disorders. Other tests may check for health problems that binge eating can cause [2].
Test or evaluation | Purpose |
Mental health evaluation | Discussing feelings and eating habits with a mental health professional who has expertise in eating disorders |
Physical exam | May include getting your weight, with your permission |
Blood and urine tests | Checking for health problems linked to binge eating, such as high cholesterol, electrolyte imbalances, and poor nutrition |
Sleep specialist visit | Checking for sleep-related breathing disorders that binge eating can contribute to |
How is binge eating disorder treated?
The goal is healthy, regular eating habits. Because binge eating often involves shame, poor body self-image, and other negative emotions, treatment also addresses these and related conditions such as depression. Care may involve a team of doctors, mental health professionals, and dietitians, all with eating disorder experience [2].
Talk therapy
Talk therapy can help you exchange unhealthy habits for healthy ones and reduce binge eating, in individual or group sessions [2].
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): helps you cope with triggers such as negative feelings about your body or a depressed mood, and gives a better sense of control. Enhanced CBT (CBT-E) is specifically designed to treat eating disorders [2]
Integrative cognitive-affective therapy (ICAT): can help adults change the emotions and behaviors that trigger binge eating [2]
Dialectical behavior therapy: teaches skills to deal with stress, manage emotions, and improve relationships, which can lessen the desire to binge [2]
Medications
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse) is an ADHD medicine and the first approved by the U.S. FDA to treat moderate to severe binge eating disorder, only in adults. Because it is a stimulant, it can be habit-forming and misused; common side effects include dry mouth and problems sleeping, and more serious side effects can happen. Certain seizure medicines and certain antidepressants may also help reduce symptoms [2].
What lifestyle changes and home remedies help with binge eating disorder?
Stay with your treatment — don't skip therapy sessions, do your best to follow a meal plan, and don't let setbacks stop you. Staying away from dieting is one of the most important steps, because dieting can trigger more binge eating and a vicious cycle [2].
Eat regularly: eating every 2 to 3 hours can help break the restrict-then-binge cycle, and planning ahead for triggering situations helps [2]
Get the right nutrients, stay connected with caring family and friends, and be active in ways your healthcare professional recommends [2]
Be cautious with supplements: most appetite-lessening or weight-loss products are not effective, may be misused by people with eating disorders, and some can have serious side effects or interact with medicines [2]
How can people cope with binge eating disorder and find support?
Be kind to yourself, even if you're not successful with the treatment plan right away. Identify situations that trigger problem eating and plan for them, look for positive role models who don't add to body dissatisfaction, talk with a trusted relative or friend, do things just for fun or relaxation such as yoga, meditation, or a walk, and journal about your feelings and behaviors. Support groups offer encouragement and advice from people who understand [2].
How should you prepare for a binge eating disorder appointment?
Preparing for a binge eating disorder appointment means listing your symptoms and medicines, writing down your typical eating, preparing questions and knowing what you may be asked.
Consider bringing a family member or friend to help remember key points [2]
List your symptoms, major stresses or recent life changes, and all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements with doses [2]
Write down a typical day's eating over a few days [2]
Prepare questions, such as what treatments are available and whether a generic drug exists if medicine is part of treatment [2]
Expect questions about your typical daily intake, whether you eat much larger than usual amounts or until uncomfortably full, whether eating feels out of control, whether you've tried to lose weight and how, whether you eat when full or in secret, how you feel about your eating, whether you ever make yourself vomit, and what physical activity you do [2].
Can the cycle of binge eating disorder be broken?
Binge eating disorder is more than occasional overeating — it is a serious mental health condition defined by a recurring loss of control over eating and unusually large amounts of food, often hidden behind shame and secrecy. Restriction both sets off and sustains it: dieting triggers urges, binges trigger guilt, and guilt triggers more dieting. Treatment is designed to break that loop through CBT-based talk therapy, regular eating every 2 to 3 hours, medication for some adults, and a specialist care team. The first step — telling someone you trust and booking an evaluation — is the hardest, but help exists.
Next steps: If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, get medical help as soon as possible — start with a trusted person if that feels easier, then contact a healthcare or mental health professional, ideally one with expertise in eating disorders.
Frequently asked questions
Is occasional overeating the same as binge eating disorder?
No. Almost everyone overeats on occasion, such as having seconds or thirds of a holiday meal. Binge eating disorder involves regularly feeling that eating is out of control and eating an unusually large amount of food — often in secret and followed by guilt or shame [1].
How is binge eating disorder different from bulimia nervosa?
With bulimia nervosa, a person may binge and then vomit, use laxatives, or exercise excessively to get rid of extra calories. With binge eating disorder this is not the case [1].
Do you have to be overweight to have binge eating disorder?
No. People may be overweight or obese, or at a healthy weight. Most feel upset about their body size or shape regardless of the number on the scale [1].
Why does dieting make binge eating worse?
Dieting or limiting calories throughout the day may trigger an urge to binge eat, creating a cycle of ongoing binge eating. Staying away from dieting is a core part of treatment [1] [2].
What treatment works best for binge eating disorder?
Talk therapy is the foundation — especially CBT, enhanced CBT-E, ICAT for adults, and dialectical behavior therapy. Regular eating every 2 to 3 hours, medication such as lisdexamfetamine for some adults, and a specialist team complete the plan [2].
This article is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you think you or a loved one may have binge eating disorder, speak with a doctor or mental health professional.
References
Mayo Clinic Staff. Binge-eating disorder - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. February 23, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353627
Mayo Clinic Staff. Binge-eating disorder - Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. February 23, 2024. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353633
Brownley KA, et al. Binge-Eating Disorder in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2016;165(6):409-20. PMID 27367316. https://doi.org/10.7326/M15-2455
Grilo CM, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Lisdexamfetamine, Alone and Combined, for Binge-Eating Disorder With Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2025;182(2):209-218. PMID 39659158. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230982
Linardon J, et al. The efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2017;85(11):1080-1094. PMID 29083223. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000245
National Eating Disorders Association. Home. National Eating Disorders Association. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders. What is F.E.A.S.T.? F.E.A.S.T.. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.feast-ed.org/what-is-feast/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Binge Eating Disorder. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Reviewed May 2021. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/binge-eating-disorder
Office on Women's Health. Binge eating disorder. Office on Women's Health. Updated September 26, 2025. https://www.womenshealth.gov/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder
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