Eating Disorders Diagnosis Diagnostic Criteria for Binge Eating Disorder By Susan Cowden, MS Susan Cowden, MS Facebook LinkedIn Susan Cowden is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 30, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS Medically reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Rachel Goldman, PhD FTOS, is a licensed psychologist, clinical assistant professor, speaker, wellness expert specializing in eating behaviors, stress management, and health behavior change. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Kactus / The Image Bank / Getty Images Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder introduced in 2013 in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Although newly recognized as a distinct disorder, it is the most common eating disorder and is more common than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A nationally representative face-to-face household survey (U.S.) of nearly ten thousand respondents determined that 2.3% of females and 0.8% of males will develop binge eating disorder. Approximately 40% of those with binge eating disorder are male. BED often begins in the late teens or early 20s, although it has been reported in young children as well as older adults. Binge eating disorder is sometimes mischaracterized as food addiction, which is not a recognized psychiatric disorder. While a large number of people with binge eating disorder are overweight, BED can also occur in people who are normal weight. As most people who are overweight or have obesity do not have BED, it is important not to conflate obesity with binge eating disorder. While many people may think of binge eating disorder as a less serious disorder than anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, it can be severe, debilitating, and even life-threatening. Criteria for Binge Eating Disorder Diagnosis To be diagnosed with binge eating disorder, a person must have episodes of binge eating at least once a week for three months. During these episodes, the person will feel a lack of control over their eating (they can't stop eating or control how much or when they eat). Binge-eating episodes cannot occur exclusively during the course of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Repeated attempts to stop binge eating, or repeated attempts at dieting, do not exclude someone from a binge eating disorder diagnosis. Binge-eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following symptoms: Eating much more quickly than normalEating until uncomfortably fullEating large amounts of food even when not physically hungryEating alone because of embarrassment about how much one is eatingFeeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterward A major distinction between binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa is that there are no recurrent behaviors used to avoid weight gain or compensate for binge eating. Known as “compensatory behaviors,” these behaviors may include purging or extreme restriction of food intake. Triggers for Binge Eating Several triggers for binge eating have been reported in people with binge eating disorder, including: Feeling unhappy, anxious, or other negative emotions about body weight, body shape, or food Feeling bored Problems with interpersonal relationships Weight stigma Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms Treatment Treatments for binge eating disorder include medications (SSRIs and Vyvanse) and psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy. Guided self-help may also be effective. Discuss your specific treatment options—which may include any of the following or a combination of medication and therapy—with your doctor to find the right treatment for you. Binge Eating Disorder Discussion Guide Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor's appointment. Download PDF Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Recommended Treatments for Binge Eating Disorder Remission The DSM-V also allows professionals to specify if a person is in partial remission or in full remission (recovery) from binge eating disorder. The severity, based on the average frequency of binge-eating episodes, can also be specified: Mild: 1 to 3 episodes each weekModerate: 4 to 7 episodes each weekSevere: 8 to 13 episodes each weekExtreme: 14 or more episodes each week A Word From Verywell Regardless of how frequent the individual's troubled eating episodes, if you or someone you know is struggling with binge-eating or compulsive overeating episodes, it is important to see a physician, dietician, or a mental health professional for an assessment. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. 9 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Swanson SA, Crow SJ, Le Grange D, Swendsen J, Merikangas KR. Prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in adolescents. Results from the national comorbidity survey replication adolescent supplement. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2011;68(7):714-23. doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.22 NationalEatingDisorders.org. Feeding Hope. Statistics and research on eating disorders. Brugnera A, Lo Coco G, Salerno L, et al. Patients with binge eating disorder and obesity have qualitatively different interpersonal characteristics: results from an interpersonal circumplex study. Compr Psychiatry. 2018;85:36‐41. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2018.06.008 Grilo CM, White MA. A controlled evaluation of the distress criterion for binge eating disorder. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011;79(4):509‐514. doi:10.1037/a0024259 White MA, Grilo CM. Diagnostic efficiency of DSM-IV indicators for binge eating episodes. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2011;79(1):75‐83. doi:10.1037/a0022210 Naumann E, Svaldi J, Wyschka T, Heinrichs M, von Dawans B. Stress-induced body dissatisfaction in women with binge eating disorder. J Abnorm Psychol. 2018;127(6):548‐558. doi:10.1037/abn0000371 Svaldi J, Caffier D, Blechert J, Tuschen-Caffier B. Body-related film clip triggers desire to binge in women with binge eating disorder. Behav Res Ther. 2009;47(9):790‐796. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2009.06.005 Fischer S, Meyer A, Dremmel D, Schlup B, Munsch S. Short-term cognitive-behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder: long-term efficacy and predictors of long-term treatment success. Behaviour Research and Therapy. 2014 Jul;58:36-42. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2014.04.007 Grilo C, White M, Masheb R, Gueorguieva R. Predicting meaningful outcomes to medication and self-help treatments for binge-eating disorder in primary care: the significance of early rapid response. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 2015 Apr;83(2):387–394. doi:10.1037/a0038635 Additional Reading American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–5). Fifth edition. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. Sangha S, Oliffe JL, Kelly MT, McCuaig F. Eating Disorders in Males: How Primary Care Providers Can Improve Recognition, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Am J Mens Health. 2019;13(3):1557988319857424. doi:10.1177/1557988319857424 Stice E, Bohon C. Eating Disorders. In Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 2nd Edition. Theodore Beauchaine and Stephen Linshaw, eds. New York: Wiley; 2012. Stice E, Marti CN, Shaw H, Jaconis M. An 8-year longitudinal study of the natural history of threshold, subthreshold, and partial eating disorders from a community sample of adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 2010;118(3):587-597. doi:10.1037/a0016481 By Susan Cowden, MS Susan Cowden is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a member of the Academy for Eating Disorders. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist for Eating Disorders Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.