What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder, often simply called BED, is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control.
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People of all body sizes can struggle with binge eating disorder even those who appear to be at a “normal” weight or in smaller bodies.
Often, it’s mislabeled or minimized as “emotional eating,” “compulsive eating,” or even joked about as “eating your feelings.” In doing so, we’ve normalized or downplayed a serious condition that deserves real understanding and support.​
Binge eating disorder isn't about lack of willpower or personal choice.
It's a brain disorder resulting from complex interactions between neurological, biological, and psychological factors.
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Binge episodes often serve as emotional coping mechanisms.
Many people with BED use food to manage difficult emotions, stress, or past trauma, creating a cycle that's difficult to break without addressing underlying issues.
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BED is the most common eating disorder but often goes undiagnosed.
Despite affecting more people than anorexia and bulimia combined, many suffer in silence due to shame and misconceptions about the disorder.
Signs of binge eating across diverse populations
​Across all demographics, individuals with binge eating disorder typically share physical symptoms:
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Weight fluctuations
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Gastrointestinal distress
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Sleep disturbances
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Metabolic changes
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Cardiovascular issues
A lot of people also share a history of being put on diets when they were young or being told they needed to lose weight. Hearing these types of messages from an early age can contribute to the development of disordered eating behaviors.
​​You may also notice the following psychological and behavioral symptoms:
Kids & Teens
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Hoarding or hiding food in unusual places
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Eating in secret or exhibiting shame around food
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Rapid weight gain without other medical causes
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Expressed fear of not having enough food or access to certain foods
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Social withdrawal, especially during meals or food-centered events
Services for different care needs
At Mindfullness, we offer a range of binge eating disorder recovery services to help you or your loved one take the first step toward healing:
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One-on-one therapy: You or your loved one will work with a therapist experienced in treating BED. The goal is to help you or your loved one understand build a positive relationship with food and begin to heal in a supportive, understanding environment.
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Family therapy: Eating disorders affect the whole family, even if that family doesn't share DNA. These sessions help loved ones learn how to best offer support, open the lines of communication and work together toward recovery.
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Intuitive eating: This approach can help you or your loved one reconnect with natural hunger cues.
What you can expect from us
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A safe, compassionate space where your child can feel heard and understood​
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Collaborative care where we work together to understand their unique needs​
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Behavioral strategies to address disordered habits and encourage healthy patterns​​
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A focus on building self-esteem and fostering a positive body image
Other eating disorders that we treat
Recurring episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors.
Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
Highly limited food intake may be due to sensory sensitivities, fear of consequences or avoidance.
Mindfullness also specializes in general body image concerns, creating individualized paths toward body neutrality and acceptance.​​ Contact us now to learn more.