About BED & Eating Disorders

Binge Eating Disorder is an eating disorder

Eating disorders are debilitating psychiatric illness characterized by a persistant disturbance of eating habits or weight control
behaviours that result in significantly impaired physical physical health and psychological

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by compulsive overeating in which persons consume huge amounts of food
while feeling out of control and powerless to stop.

Diagnostic Criteria BED
American Psychiatric Diagnostic Criteria for BED

-Recurrent episodes of binge eating in the absence of regular use of compensatory behaviours characteristic of Bulimia Nervosa.


-Binge eating must occur at least 2 days/week for a period of 6 months.

*Compensatory Behaviours= forced vomiting, laxative misuse

Causes and Risk Factors for BED
-Genetics
-Dieting/restrictive or irregular eating patterns
-History of significant weight changes
-Depression, anxiety, other mood disorders, including bi-polar disorder
-Experiences of weight stigma, weight-related discrimination, or bullying
-Problems with family or other significant relationships
-Significant trauma/loss experiences
-Emotional/physical abuse or neglect
-Addictions to drugs/alcohol
-Sexual trauma