Binge Eating Disorder: What Is It Called When You Eat Until You Feel Sick?

November 17, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States. When you find yourself eating uncontrollably until you feel sick, this recurring pattern of consumption combined with a feeling of lost control is a hallmark of Binge Eating Disorder (BED), a serious mental health condition. This behavior, often stemming from emotional distress, is distinctly different from occasional overindulgence.

Quick Summary

This article explains that eating uncontrollably until you feel sick is a core symptom of Binge Eating Disorder (BED). It clarifies the difference between BED and occasional overeating by highlighting the element of a lost sense of control and frequent distress associated with it. The content explores the causes, health risks, and effective treatment options available for individuals struggling with this serious condition.

Key Points

Binge Eating vs. Overeating: True binge eating involves a frequent, recurring pattern of eating large amounts of food with a profound sense of lost control, unlike occasional overindulgence.
Loss of Control is Key: The defining symptom of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the feeling that one cannot stop eating, even when uncomfortably full.
Emotional Triggers: BED is often triggered by emotional distress, such as stress, depression, anxiety, or boredom, and is not a simple choice.
Serious Health Risks: Untreated BED can lead to significant health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and worsened mental health conditions.
Recovery is Possible: Effective treatment, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), nutritional counseling, and lifestyle changes, can help manage symptoms and lead to lasting recovery.
Comprehensive Support: A multi-faceted approach involving a team of specialists, including therapists and dietitians, is crucial for addressing both the behavioral and psychological aspects of the disorder.

Binge Eating Disorder vs. Occasional Overeating

Many people overeat on occasion, such as during holiday meals like Thanksgiving, and it is a relatively normal part of human experience. The discomfort from such an event is temporary, and it doesn't typically cause significant emotional distress or recur frequently. However, when the behavior of eating until you feel sick becomes a persistent pattern accompanied by a profound sense of lost control, it is not merely overeating. This is the central characteristic of Binge Eating Disorder (BED).

Key Differences Between Binge Eating and Overeating


Feature	Binge Eating Disorder (BED)	Occasional Overeating
Frequency	At least once a week for three months or more.	Infrequent, isolated incidents.
Feeling of Control	A profound sense of a lack of control during the eating episode.	A conscious decision to eat more, with a normal degree of control.
Post-Eating Emotions	Significant distress, shame, guilt, or depression.	Mild, temporary guilt or physical discomfort.
Triggering Factors	Often triggered by emotional distress, stress, anxiety, or boredom.	Commonly linked to social situations or special occasions.
Secrecy	Often happens alone or in secret due to embarrassment.	Typically occurs openly in social settings.

Symptoms and Causes of Binge Eating Disorder

Recognizing the symptoms of BED is the first step toward seeking help. In addition to the defining episodes of eating until feeling unwell and out of control, other symptoms exist.

Common Signs of Binge Eating Disorder:

Eating large amounts of food rapidly, often to the point of being uncomfortably full.
Consuming food even when not physically hungry.
Eating alone or in secret due to shame.
Feeling depressed, disgusted, or guilty after overeating.
Preoccupation with thoughts of food and body image.
Significant weight fluctuations.

The causes of BED are complex and multi-faceted, involving a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Genetics can play a role, as can a history of dieting, as restrictive eating can paradoxically trigger a cycle of bingeing. Emotional triggers, such as stress, depression, or anxiety, are also major contributing factors, with food serving as a coping mechanism.

The Health Risks of Untreated Binge Eating

If left unaddressed, binge eating can lead to a host of significant health complications affecting both physical and mental well-being. These issues can include:

Physical Health: Obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease, and digestive issues like acid reflux and bloating.
Mental Health: A worsening of pre-existing conditions like depression and anxiety, or the development of new mental health concerns. Suicidal thoughts and self-harming behaviors have also been linked to untreated BED.
Quality of Life: Social isolation, reduced quality of life, and difficulties functioning effectively at work or in social settings.

Pathways to Management and Recovery

Recovery from BED is possible with the right approach and support. It is not a matter of willpower, but rather a process of addressing the underlying emotional and behavioral patterns. A comprehensive treatment plan often involves a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, dietitians, and mental health specialists.

Effective Treatment Strategies:

Talk Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that trigger binges. Other therapies like Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can also be beneficial.
Nutritional Counseling: Working with a registered dietitian is crucial for establishing a regular, balanced eating pattern that helps normalize hunger and fullness cues, which can prevent the binge-restrict cycle.
Medication: In some cases, medication such as certain antidepressants or lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) may be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes: Simple but consistent changes can make a big difference. This includes eating at regular times, avoiding trigger foods and situations, practicing mindful eating, managing stress, and incorporating regular physical activity for mood regulation.

Conclusion

Feeling sick after eating as a recurring, uncontrollable behavior points to a serious and common condition known as Binge Eating Disorder. Distinguishing this from typical overeating is vital for recognizing the problem and seeking appropriate help. With effective treatment strategies, including therapy, nutritional guidance, and lifestyle adjustments, individuals can learn to manage the underlying emotional triggers and develop a healthier relationship with food, leading to improved physical and mental well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources and professional support are available and can lead to a lasting recovery. You can explore options and find support from organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline

Frequently Asked Questions

Symptoms of BED include eating unusually large amounts of food in a short period, eating quickly until uncomfortably full, eating when not hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, and feeling disgusted or guilty afterward.

Occasional overeating is a non-recurring event, while binge eating is a persistent pattern involving a feeling of lost control and significant emotional distress, happening at least once a week for several months.

The causes are complex and can include genetic predisposition, a history of dieting, emotional triggers like stress, anxiety, or depression, and environmental factors.

Yes, many people with BED have a history of dieting. Restrictive eating can trigger a cycle of bingeing and restricting, making the disorder more difficult to manage.

Treatment often includes different types of psychotherapy like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), nutritional counseling with a dietitian, and, in some cases, medication to help manage symptoms.

Untreated BED can lead to serious health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, gallbladder disease, and an increased risk of other mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Yes, recovery from BED is possible with the right professional support. Early intervention with a comprehensive, team-based approach can lead to long-term management and a healthier relationship with food.