What is called when you eat too much?

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, overeating is very common, and while it isn't an eating disorder, recurring episodes of consuming large amounts of food can be a symptom of a clinically recognized mental health condition called Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Understanding what is called when you eat too much is the first step toward identifying if your eating patterns require professional attention.

Quick Summary

Excessive eating can be termed overeating or the diagnosable mental health condition, Binge Eating Disorder (BED). This article explains the distinctions between overeating, compulsive eating, and BED, including their causes, symptoms, and potential health consequences.

Key Points

Overeating is Common: Almost everyone overeats occasionally, such as during holiday meals, without it being a serious issue.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is Different: Unlike occasional overeating, BED is a recognized mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food with a feeling of being out of control.
Emotional Triggers Play a Role: Stress, anxiety, boredom, and other difficult emotions are common triggers for compulsive or binge eating as a coping mechanism.
Dieting Can Backfire: Restrictive dieting can increase the risk of bingeing by intensifying cravings and promoting a binge-restrict cycle.
Listen to Your Body: Overeating can be caused by physiological factors, like hormonal imbalances or lack of sleep, that disrupt normal hunger and fullness cues.
Health Consequences Are Serious: Habitual overeating and BED can lead to physical issues like obesity, diabetes, and digestive problems, as well as mental health issues like depression and shame.
Professional Help is Effective: Therapy, nutritional counseling, and support groups are proven treatment options for binge eating disorder, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

What is Overeating?

Overeating simply refers to consuming more food than your body needs or eating past the point of being full. It is a very common behavior that most people engage in from time to time, such as during a holiday meal or a special celebration.

Occasional vs. Compulsive Overeating

Occasional overeating is usually a conscious choice and doesn't cause significant distress or a cycle of shame afterward. It might result in temporary physical discomfort, like a bloated stomach, but doesn't define a person's relationship with food.

On the other hand, compulsive overeating is a habitual pattern driven by emotional distress, stress, or boredom, rather than physical hunger. Individuals may feel a sense of being out of control during these episodes, though not with the same intensity as a clinical binge. If left unaddressed, this pattern can negatively impact both physical and mental health.

When Overeating Becomes a Disorder: Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

For some, excessive eating is not just a bad habit but a diagnosable mental illness. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States and is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating. A true binge involves eating a significantly larger amount of food than most people would in a similar timeframe, coupled with a feeling of lack of control.

Diagnostic Criteria for BED

To be diagnosed with BED, a person must meet specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The episodes must occur at least once a week for three months and are associated with at least three of the following:

Eating much more rapidly than normal.
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry.
Eating alone because of embarrassment.
Feeling disgusted, depressed, or very guilty afterward.

Causes and Triggers for Eating Too Much

Several factors can contribute to patterns of overeating and binge eating. It's often a complex interplay of psychological, biological, and environmental influences.

Psychological and Biological Factors

Emotional Eating: Many people use food as a coping mechanism to deal with negative emotions like stress, anxiety, sadness, and boredom. The resulting release of pleasure hormones like dopamine provides temporary relief.
Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS): Some research suggests a link between overeating and a weak response from the brain's reward system. This can lead individuals to seek larger quantities of food to achieve a feeling of satisfaction.
Dieting and Restriction: Restrictive dieting can paradoxically increase the risk of bingeing. The deprivation can lead to intense cravings and a subsequent loss of control, initiating a binge-restrict cycle.
Physiological Hunger Signals: Certain medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, and lack of sleep can disrupt the hormones that regulate hunger and fullness, such as leptin and ghrelin, making it difficult for the body to signal it has had enough.

Overeating vs. Binge Eating: A Comparison

To clarify the difference between occasional overeating and the clinical condition of binge eating disorder, consider the following table:


Feature	Overeating (Occasional)	Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Frequency	Infrequent; a one-off event.	Recurrent; at least once a week for three months.
Amount	Larger than a normal portion, but not usually excessive to the point of pain.	Consuming a very large amount of food, often to the point of being uncomfortably full.
Control	A conscious choice to have an extra helping; feeling a general sense of control.	Feeling a distinct and intense loss of control during the episode.
Feelings Afterward	May feel physically uncomfortable or a little guilty, but emotions are not severe.	Intense shame, guilt, self-disgust, or depression.
Secret Eating	Can happen in public or alone, with no significant secrecy.	Often done in secret or isolation due to shame and embarrassment.
Compensatory Behavior	None.	None (this distinguishes it from bulimia nervosa).

Health Consequences of Habitual Overeating

Habitual overeating, and especially diagnosed BED, can have serious physical and mental health consequences.

Physical and Mental Health Impacts

Obesity and Related Conditions: Chronic overeating is strongly linked to weight gain and obesity, which increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and some types of cancer.
Digestive Issues: Consistently overloading the digestive system can lead to bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, acid reflux, and constipation. In severe cases, it can cause gastric dilation or even rupture.
Sleep Disturbances: Overeating, particularly at night, can disrupt sleep patterns and energy levels. Fatigue can also lead to more overeating, creating a vicious cycle.
Mental Health Decline: The shame and guilt associated with eating episodes can worsen underlying conditions like depression and anxiety. This can lead to social isolation and lower self-esteem.

When to Seek Help and Treatment Options

If you are concerned about your eating patterns, seeking professional help is crucial. This is not a matter of willpower, but rather addressing a complex issue that can be effectively treated. A healthcare provider can offer guidance and refer you to specialists like a therapist or dietitian.

Treatment for BED often involves therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps identify triggers and change unhelpful thought patterns. A registered dietitian can provide nutritional guidance to restore a healthy relationship with food. In some cases, medication may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms. Support groups and educational resources can also provide valuable support. For more information on eating disorders, visit the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Your Eating Habits

While the answer to “what is called when you eat too much” isn't a single word, it encompasses a range of behaviors from occasional overeating to the serious mental health condition of Binge Eating Disorder. The key distinction lies in the frequency, emotional distress, and sense of control. Recognizing these differences is vital for determining whether lifestyle changes are sufficient or if professional medical and psychological help is needed. Taking steps to address these patterns is a courageous move toward improving your overall well-being and achieving a healthier relationship with food.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, overeating is not the same as binge eating. Overeating is simply eating more than needed and happens occasionally. Binge eating is a distinct behavior, often associated with a sense of lost control, and is a symptom of Binge Eating Disorder when it occurs frequently and with significant distress.

The medical term for extreme, insatiable hunger is polyphagia, also known as hyperphagia. It is often a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, and is not necessarily an eating disorder.

Emotional eating is very common. People often eat too much to cope with stress, anger, boredom, sadness, or anxiety. Food can become a temporary source of comfort or a distraction from painful emotions.

The key difference is compensatory behavior. While both involve binge eating episodes, individuals with bulimia nervosa engage in compensatory behaviors afterward, such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise, which does not occur with Binge Eating Disorder.

Yes, restrictive dieting is a known risk factor for triggering overeating and binge eating. Feelings of deprivation from cutting out certain foods or severely limiting calories can lead to intense cravings and a subsequent loss of control.

Regularly eating too much can cause physical effects like weight gain, obesity, digestive issues such as bloating and acid reflux, and an increased risk for serious conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

If your eating is accompanied by a sense of being out of control, significant emotional distress (like shame or guilt), or if it interferes with your daily life, it may be time to seek professional help. The frequency and intensity of the episodes are key indicators.