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What is Binge-Eating Disorder (B.E.D.)?

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What is Binge-Eating Disorder (B.E.D.)?

The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition¹ is a diagnostic tool used by mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers. The following is the definition of a binge and a description of the characteristics, frequency, and prevalence of Binge-Eating Disorder² according to that book:

Definition of a binge:

“A binge is defined as eating in a discrete period of time an amount of food that is definitely larger than most individuals would eat under similar circumstances” (p. 545).

Characteristics of Binge-Eating Disorder:

“…recurrent episodes of binge eating associated with subjective and behavioral indicators of impaired control over, and significant distress about, the binge eating and the absence of the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives and other medications, fasting, and excessive exercise) that are characteristic of Bulimia Nervosa” (p. 729).

Indicators of impaired control:

“…eating very rapidly, eating until feeling uncomfortably full, eating large amounts of food when not hungry, eating alone because of embarrassment over how much one is eating, and feeling disgust, guilt, or depression after overeating” (p. 729).

Frequency of binges:

“Binge episodes must occur, on average, at least 2 days a week for a period of at least 6 months” (p. 730).

Prevalence:

“In samples drawn from weight-control programs, the overall prevalence varies from approximately 15% to 50% (with a mean of 30%), with females approximately 1.5 times more likely to have this eating pattern than males. In nonpatient community samples, a prevalence rate of 0.7%-4% has been reported” (p. 730).

Incidence of Obesity in Binge-Eating Disorder:

“Individuals with this eating pattern seen in clinical settings have varying degrees of obesity…In weight-control clinics, individuals with this eating pattern are, on average, more obese and have a history of more marked weight fluctuations than individuals without this pattern. In nonpatient community samples, most individuals with this eating pattern are overweight (although some have never been overweight)” (p. 730).

¹ American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 1994.

² It is debated whether the terms “Binge-Eating Disorder” and “Compulsive Overeating” are interchangeable. Since the American Psychiatric Association uses the term “Binge-Eating Disorder”, I will do the same throughout this book.