What Counts As Binge Eating Disorder?

The Dangers Of Binge Eating Disorder

After going overboard, it’s pretty common to feel bloated and weighed down.

But that’s not all: When you flood your system with more calories than it needs, the extra gets stored as fat, Albers says.

And if you’re loading up on sugar and refined carbs, you’ll have a blood sugar spike followed by a crash, leaving you tired and irritable.

Of course, there are more long-term dangers you need to worry about, too.

The more often you binge, the more likely you are to take in more calories than you need and gain weight.

Over time, that can put you at risk for health problems like high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.

So What Can You Do About It?

The good news is that over-the-top eating that only happens once in a while won’t necessarily morph into a disorder.

You usually must have a predisposition towards an eating disorder to develop one, says Albers. For instance, people with certain personality traits might be more at risk, like if you’re a perfectionist or feel like you always need to be in control, the NEDA says.

Regardless, if you’re concerned about your eating habits or are worried that you might have a disorder, talk with your doctor.

Bingeing on a regular basis, feeling bad about your binges or like your eating is out of control, and using binges to cope with stress or other negative emotions are all red flags.

He or she may refer you to a mental health professional, who can help you work through your food issues with therapy.