ABSTRACT
Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterised by recurrent episodes of binge eating, during which someone consumes large volumes of food in a short space of time with a sensation of a lack of control. This occurs in the absence of any compensatory behaviours. It is still a relatively new diagnosis, having only been included in the DSM-5 as an eating disorder, in its own right, in 2013. It tends to develop during early adulthood and has a more balanced sex distribution than anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), although it can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. BED may develop due to biological (e.g. genetics), psychological (e.g. negative affectivity), and sociocultural (e.g. dieting) factors, and can have a significant impact on people's health (unhealthy weight gain and subsequent medical complications may develop) and functioning, and they often feel high levels of guilt and shame, meaning they are less likely to seek medical help. In this chapter, I will discuss the underlying causes of the disorder, how it may present and the signs to look out for, what to expect at an initial consultation with a doctor, potential complications which may develop, and finally a summary of the current treatment guidance.
