Binge Eating Disorder: What is it called when you eat uncontrollably?

January 14, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. When you eat uncontrollably, this condition is formally known as Binge Eating Disorder, or BED. It is a serious, but treatable, mental illness characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming an unusually large amount of food, accompanied by a feeling of a loss of control.

Quick Summary

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) involves consuming large quantities of food with a feeling of lost control, often followed by shame and guilt. It differs from other eating disorders by the absence of compensatory behaviors like purging. BED is a serious mental illness but is treatable with professional help. It is influenced by a combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.

Key Points

Definition: What is it called when you eat uncontrollably is Binge Eating Disorder (BED), a serious mental illness characterized by recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food with a feeling of lost control.
Not a Choice: BED is a mental illness, not a lack of willpower, and is influenced by genetic, psychological, and environmental factors.
Distress and Secrecy: Episodes are often followed by intense feelings of guilt, shame, and disgust, leading many to hide their behavior.
Physical and Psychological Risks: Untreated BED can lead to serious health issues, including diabetes and heart disease, as well as comorbid mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Effective Treatments: Evidence-based psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) are highly effective in treating BED, sometimes supplemented with medication.
Recovery Is Possible: With proper treatment and support, individuals can recover from BED and establish a healthier relationship with food.

Understanding Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a recognized eating disorder affecting many people. It is a complex mental illness with biological and psychological roots, not just a lack of willpower. An episode involves consuming a large amount of food with a feeling of losing control. This behavior is often kept secret due to shame and can significantly impact physical and mental health.

Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria

Diagnosis of BED requires recurrent binge eating episodes, averaging at least once a week for three months. A binge episode includes at least three of these characteristics:

Eating faster than normal.
Eating until uncomfortably full.
Eating large amounts when not hungry.
Eating alone due to embarrassment.
Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after overeating.

Unlike bulimia nervosa, BED does not involve regular compensatory behaviors like purging or excessive exercise. Distress and negative feelings about eating are key to the diagnosis.

Comparison of Eating Behaviors

It's important to distinguish between occasional overeating, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. While casual overeating is common, BED and bulimia are serious conditions with different patterns.


Feature	Occasional Overeating	Binge Eating Disorder (BED)	Bulimia Nervosa
Episode Frequency	Infrequent	At least once a week for 3 months	At least once a week for 3 months
Sense of Control	Generally in control	Feeling of no control	Feeling of no control
Emotional Aftermath	Minor regret	Intense shame, guilt	Intense shame, guilt
Compensatory Behaviors	None	None	Present (purging, fasting, etc.)
Weight Fluctuation	Minimal	Often associated with weight gain	Variable (underweight, normal, overweight)

Causes and Complications

BED has multiple causes, including genetics, psychology, and environment. A family history of eating disorders or depression increases risk. Psychological factors, like using food to cope with emotions or stress, are common. Low self-esteem and negative body image are also risk factors.

Untreated BED can lead to serious health issues, often linked to obesity, though not always present. Complications can include:

Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Heart disease
Sleep apnea
Joint pain
Digestive problems

BED is often accompanied by depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Shame can lead to isolation and affect daily life.

Treatment and Recovery

Recovery from BED is possible with treatment. A team of healthcare professionals is often involved. Treatment aims to establish healthy eating habits and address underlying emotional issues.

Effective psychological therapies include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors triggering binges.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaches skills to manage stress and emotions, reducing the urge to binge.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): Addresses relationship issues contributing to binge eating.

Medication may be used with therapy. Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is FDA-approved for moderate to severe BED. Antidepressants may also be prescribed for co-occurring depression or anxiety. Avoiding restrictive dieting is crucial as it can trigger binges.

Conclusion

Uncontrollable eating is a key feature of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), a serious but treatable mental illness. It's not a personal failure but a complex condition influenced by many factors. Understanding symptoms, seeking therapies like CBT or IPT, and building support are vital for recovery. Recognizing the issue is the first step towards healing and regaining control. For more information, visit the National Institutes of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the absence of regular compensatory behaviors in binge eating disorder. While both involve binge eating episodes, a person with bulimia will engage in actions like purging or excessive exercise afterward to counteract the food intake.

No, binge eating disorder is a serious mental illness, not a matter of a lack of willpower. It is driven by complex biological, psychological, and environmental factors, and viewing it as a personal failure can worsen feelings of shame and isolation.

Triggers vary by individual but can include stress, anxiety, boredom, loneliness, dieting or restricting food, and negative feelings about body image. Identifying these triggers is an important step in managing the condition.

A healthcare provider diagnoses BED based on specific clinical criteria, which involves experiencing binge eating episodes at least once a week for three months, accompanied by a sense of a loss of control and other associated behaviors like eating rapidly or eating alone.

Long-term health risks can include obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, joint pain, and psychological conditions like depression and anxiety.

Yes, some medications can be used alongside therapy to help treat BED. The FDA-approved stimulant lisdexamfetamine can assist with impulse control, and certain antidepressants may be prescribed for co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety.

The most effective approach involves a multidisciplinary team and evidence-based psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). Avoiding restrictive dieting and building a strong support system are also crucial for long-term recovery.