Binge Eating Disorder
What is Binge Eating Disorder, or BED?
A binge eating disorder, or BED, is an eating disorder when an excessive amount of food is consumed during one sitting, and may feel like that behavior is out of control.
History of BED
Binge Eating Disorder was first documented by psychiatrist Albert Stunkard, who “...described the disorder as an eating pattern that involved consuming an excessive amount of food at irregular times”(oliverpyattcenters.com par. 3). BED was only recently diagnosed as a disorder because the majority of the population could not afford to purchase excessive amounts of food.
Additionally, in the media, there are double standards for the representation of eating disorders. The act of binging on food is shamed and viewed as disgusting. However, BED is still an eating disorder like any other, and deserves representation and awareness.
To give another perspective and overview of BED, here is a video in which Dr. Rachel Goldstein of Stanford discusses this disorder and some steps to take action toward recovery:
Misconceptions
A big misconception about BED is that it equates to overeating, although that may be the case for most people suffering from this disorder, for others, binge eating can be associated with a feeling of no control as if another person is controlling the binge, and it is very difficult to stop. On the other hand, overeating is not necessarily binge eating because overeating may be a regular eating pattern for some; once again, everyone suffers differently and this may not be the case for all.
Another societal misconception about BED is that it affects a certain body type, but it can affect anyone, and a person’s body type does not define their eating disorder.
Symptoms of BED
Some symptoms of BED include: eating large quantities of food, eating until uncomfortably full, eating alone, high levels of anxiety or depression, and many others.
Additionally, BED can result in a number of health risks: diabetes, heart disease, cancer, PCOS, sleep apnea, and many more dangerous side effects.
How to seek help
If you feel that you, or a loved one, are struggling with an eating disorder, please consult a professional or visit the sites below. Asking for help is not easy, but you are not alone, making that first will help you so much in the long run. Happiness and health are worth much more than societal standards.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/eating-disorders/eating-disorder-treatment-and-recovery.htm
Works Cited
Hunnicutt, Carrie. “The History of Binge Eating Disorder.” Oliver-Pyatt Centers, 3 Oct. 2020, www.oliverpyattcenters.com/binge-eating-disorder-history.
The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness. “Binge Eating Disorder.” National Alliance for Eating Disorders, 4 May 2022, www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/binge-eating-disorder/?gclid=CjwKCAjwgaeYBhBAEiwAvMgp2h1icNC6LKgxLTyV1VSCN-9p62V_evg6tF58Ax_jlbgd1Rl6DQxloxoCJHUQAvD_BwE.
