Most people overeat every now and then and it is common to occasionally feel as though you have eaten too much. But binge eating happens when someone regularly consumes large amounts of food when they are not feeling hungry, to the point of feeling too full, and at a much faster rate than usual. Binge eating is similar to bulimia except that the person does not get rid of the food after eating.
Some people who binge eat feel out of control when they are eating, and often they are secretive about what they eat and feel embarrassed about the amount they have eaten. Binge eaters often feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty about overeating.
If you think these characteristics describe your eating habits, you may want to speak to a medical doctor, a nutritionist, dietitian, or psychologist, counselor, or other mental health professional. They should be able to help you work out the best way to manage your binging. There are a number of options for doing this, and by talking it through you can find the best one for you.
Remember you are not alone. Many people struggle with binge eating and many people, with help, fully recover.
To read more about binge eating check out the Mayo Clinic.
Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.
