Binge eating disorder
Repeated episodes of eating a very large amount of food in a short time while feeling out of control, without the compensating behaviours of bulimia nervosa.
Signs of binge eating disorder
Someone may show some of these signs, not all of them. Eating disorders affect people of every age, gender, cultural background and body size, and you can’t tell if someone has one just by looking at them.
Physical
- Feeling tired and not sleeping well
- Feeling bloated or constipated
- Developing intolerances to food
- A higher risk of health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
Psychological
- Preoccupation with eating, food, body shape and weight
- Extreme body dissatisfaction and shame about appearance
- Strong distress, sadness, anxiety and guilt during and after a binge
- Low self-esteem
- Sensitivity to comments about food, weight, body shape or exercise
- Depression, anxiety or irritability
Behavioural
- Episodes of binge eating, such as food disappearing or being hoarded
- Secretive behaviour around food, such as hiding food or wrappers
- Avoiding questions about eating and weight
- Withdrawing from friends and activities they used to enjoy
- Erratic behaviour, such as spending large amounts of money on food
- Self-harm, substance use or thoughts of suicide
If you or someone you know is showing these signs, please reach out for help
Eating disorders are serious, but recovery is possible, and the earlier you get support, the better. A good first step is your GP, or the Butterfly Helpline on 1800 33 4673.
Binge eating disorder statistics
- 2.2%of Australians will experience binge eating disorder in their lifetime: the second most common eating disorder
- 25is roughly the average age it starts
- 55–97%of people with an eating disorder also live with another mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression
- 1 in 3people with an eating disorder are male
Sources
Lifetime and gender figures: Deloitte Access Economics (2024). Paying the Price, Second Edition: The economic and social impact of eating disorders in Australia. Butterfly Foundation. Read the report.
Average age: Butterfly Foundation (2012). Mental health conditions: National Eating Disorders Collaboration (2017), as summarised by Eating Disorders Victoria. Figures summarised by Eating Disorders Victoria, which lists each original study.
Treatment for binge eating disorder
Recovery from binge eating disorder is possible. Treatment focuses on breaking the binge cycle and on the thoughts and feelings behind it, not on dieting or weight loss. Evidence-based options include:
- Eating disorder–focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT-ED)
- Guided self-help based on CBT
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Your doctor may also talk with you about medication alongside therapy
Where to start
See your GP. They can check your physical health and write an Eating Disorder Treatment and Management Plan, which gives Medicare rebates for up to 40 psychology sessions and 20 dietitian sessions over 12 months.
Not sure what to say? Our checklist for talking to your GP and Butterfly’s Where do I start? guide can help.
You can recover. You are not alone ❤️
Read how others found their way through recovery.