How to identify binge eating

Discover more about how to manage stress eating and understand the role talk therapy may play in gut health.

How does over-eating differ from binge eating?

Over-eating can happen at any time of day for any number of different foods, but during the afternoon and evening and with highly palatable often sugary foods, is the most likely. An occasional over-consumption does not mean you have BED, however, if it happens with increased regularity, it may be a risk factor for the condition to develop. It is when you experience an uncontrollable need to eat, often consuming large quantities of food very quickly, and you do this at least once per week for at least three months, that you should consider referring yourself to a GP for advice and support.

What causes binge-eating disorder?

A cause for BED has not yet been identified. However, multiple biological, psychological, social and cultural factors are likely to play a part.

These may include:

• If a family member has the condition, then your risk increases, so too if you or family member struggle with substance abuse. This may point to genes being passed down through your family that potentially influence how your body responds to the body’s natural ‘reward’ system.
• If you have a long history of dieting, such enforced food restriction increases the risk of an overwhelming urge to eat, typically when your resolve is weakened, such as at the end of the day.
• Elevated stress and the increased incidence of life stressors have been shown to often precede a binge.
• If you’ve grown up with issues such as childhood obesity, family conflict, parenting issues or trauma.
• If you experience negative emotions and feelings about your body image, you have low self-esteem and do not appreciate your own worth. These factors, combined with social and cultural pressures to conform may increase stress and the likelihood of disordered eating behaviours.
• If you have been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), there is an association between this condition and eating disorders, including BED.

How to recognise hunger

Hunger is the natural feeling we get which signals us to eat. The sensation of hunger typically starts after a few hours without eating and is generally considered to be an unpleasant feeling. Physical signs might include a rumbling tummy and a sense of emptiness. Typically, once we have eaten, we experience satiety after about 20 minutes. In contrast, emotional hunger involves a sense of urgency, it may be in response to both negative or positive feelings, and those seeking to satisfy emotional hunger tend not to achieve satiety.

BED differs from both of these in that it’s characterised by discreet episodes of quick, excessive food consumption that is not driven by hunger or metabolic need, and is accompanied by a sense of feeling out of control.

Why do we over-eat?

Typically, our urge to eat is triggered by numerous different factors including the environment around us. Sights, smells and even the company we keep can all lead us to eat, as well as internal triggers including hunger, thirst, cravings, hormonal imbalances and our emotions.

With BED, it is a combination of environmental, biological and psychological factors that blend together. Sometimes, those with BED feel disconnected from the act of eating and may even struggle to remember what they have eaten.

What happens when we eat too much?

The stomach is the size of a fist, but can stretch to accommodate four times this amount. Foods may induce different feelings when eaten in excess. The most common is the ‘sugar rush’ – a hit of energy often followed by a crash as sugar rapidly leaves the bloodstream. Eating larger amounts may also cause lethargy as the body redirects its resources to digestion.

Excessive overeating can disrupt hunger and satiety hormones (ghrelin and leptin). Over time, some people become resistant to leptin, which means the body doesn't recognise fullness – leading to further overeating and weight gain and all of its associated health implications.

How to address binge-eating behaviour

The appropriate approach will be unique to you as an individual, as well as the factors relevant to why you binge eat. If you suspect you or a loved one may have BED, approach your GP for guidance and ask for a referral to a specialist. They may direct you to therapy such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), this helps you examine your behaviours and the thought patterns and emotions behind them. Your therapist will work with you to find constructive ways of responding to those thoughts and feelings. Alternatively, interpersonal therapy is a short-term, focused form of individual therapy that addresses the current stress factors in your life.

A more mindful approach to eating may also be a useful intervention.

So, what is binge eating?

BED is not about choice, and it is not your fault or failing. It can take a long time to understand why you adopt binge-eating behaviours, and it will require motivation and resolve to do something about it.

If you've been struggling, speak to your GP, they should be able to advise you of the appropriate services and support that are available.

For more information on eating disorders, please see the NHS website as well as BEAT eating disorders including their free resources.

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This page was reviewed on the 27 March 2025 by Kerry Torrens

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