It’s okay to overeat once in a while, but consistently overindulging in food can be a sign of a more pressing issue. The truth is that because of the large role that food plays in our lives, it’s easy to mistake one eating problem for another. Not all poor eating habits equate to an eating disorder. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a serious mental health condition where a person cannot control their urges to eat excessively.

Symptoms/Characteristics of BED

• Eating when you aren’t hungry

• Overeating until uncomfortable

• A feeling you cannot stop eating

• Food restrictions after binging (out of guilt or shame)

• Hiding or stealing food from others

• Regularly overeating

• Setting aside time for binge eating

• Eating excessively fast

• Eating as a coping mechanism for anxiety or stress

• Hoarding food

Identifying and Diagnosing BED

Sometimes the most difficult part of diagnosing BED is just that, diagnosing the disorder properly. This happens because many people feel a lot of shame and guilt surrounding eating disorders. On top of that, there is a social stigma around mental illness that still needs a lot of attention. If the mental health condition is BED, someone may require lots of patience and care to even consider they have a problem in the first place.

Most people with BED fly under the radar for a lot of their lives. Only being brought to the light when they consider professional help for weight loss or are flagged by doctors for obesity-related issues. This is why it’s so important to be open and honest about your eating habits. Whether you confide in a close friend or a trusted physician, it’s the most likely way that you will quickly be diagnosed and treated if you suffer from BED.