From Matthew Tiemeyer,
Your Guide to Eating Disorders.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

The symptoms of binge-eating disorder are well-known to treatment professionals, although binge-eating disorder has not yet been recognized as an "official diagnosis." Some symptoms mirror the symptoms often seen in bulimia nervosa; other symptoms might be seen in those who are overweight.

Physical Symptoms of Binge-Eating Disorder

The physical symptoms of binge-eating disorder are very similar to the symptoms one would expect to see in someone who is overweight, since binge eating on a regular basis will generally produce weight gain:

• Excess weight (considered either "above average" or overweight)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Chronic kidney problems or kidney failure
• Osteoarthritis
• Irregular menstruation

Mental and Behavioral Symptoms of Binge-Eating Disorder

A person struggling with binge-eating disorder agonizes over behaviors that he finds shameful:

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating.
• Eating notably faster than normal
• Eating beyond fullness, to the point of discomfort
• Binge eating when not physically hungry
• Eating alone because the amount of food consumed is embarrassing
• Self-disgust, depression, or guilt after overeating
• Obsessive thoughts about eating, sometimes including planning the day around binges

Questions About Binge-Eating Disorder Symptoms?

Remember that only a trained professional can make an accurate diagnosis and determine the proper subtype of an eating disorder. Also, not having all the symptoms of binge-eating disorder does not mean that you don't have another eating disorder. If you have questions, make an appointment with a treatment provider near you.

Back to Eating Disorder Symptoms

Sources

Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. "Eating disorders warning signs." Accessed 11 December 2006.

PaleReflections.com. "Binge-eating disorder." Accessed 24 May 2007.

SomethingFishy.org. "Binge-eating disorder." Accessed 24 May 2007.