Let's Talk About Binge Eating Disorder

About 20 million women and 10 million in the United States suffer from an eating disorder. Here is a look at the most common type of eating disorder and what conversations about it are happening.

What is This Conversation About?

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According to the National Eating Disorder Association, binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States. BED affects 3x the number of people as anorexia and bulimia combined. It is a mental disorder characterized by regular episodes of consuming large quantities of food without the use of compensatory behaviors and a feeling of a loss of control during the binge. The food is often consumed rapidly and to beyond the point of fullness.

Yet, this disorder is more than just eating too much. It is more than just about food.

Biological, psychological, and social and cultural factors have been identified as factors that may contribute to BED. BED may result from an inability to control or cope with other things going on in life.

As of 2013, the DSM-5 from the American Psychiatric Association has recognized BED as a diagnosable eating disorder, listing its diagnostic criteria. There are behavioral, emotional, mental, and physical characteristics of BED. Yet often times, those suffering from BED suffer unknowingly and in silence.

Click here to take a quiz to find out if you should talk to someone about BED.

Those who struggle with BED tend to have normal to heavier-than-average weight. Two-thirds of people with BED are obese. Other health concerns of those with BED are high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, and heart disease.

Those who struggle with BED often feel distressed, shame, and guilt because of their eating behaviors.

BED is a dark side topic because, like many mental disorders, it is not openly talked about, thereby being left in the dark. BED as a disorder had not the name or characteristics until it was recognized by society at-large a few years. So, it is still just breaking out into the light from its somewhat unknown past. Additionally, BED is dark in-and-of itself. Those with BED tend to isolate themselves from others, darkening their lives, as the actions of their disorder create lives of secrecy.

Because BED affects millions of people, it is important to look at how we can use communication to support those with it.

Joey Julius has Kicked off the BED Conversation

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On October 3, 2016, Joey Julius, a kicker for the Penn State football team known for his characteristically aggressive tackles, posted on Facebook about his absence from the Penn State football team due to his struggles and treatment for BED. In the post, Julius wrote that long consideration went into this post. Julius disclosed that he was admitted into treatment for an eating disorder in May. He stated that his admission into treatment was due to his weight and the depression and anxiety Penn State physicians had noticed. The physicians had noticed a change in his happiness and performance. Julius wrote that in treatment he learned that he had suffered for 11 years with BED. Julius thanked his coaches and the training staff for their support in his treatment. Julius stated that he loves the Penn State football program and school. He concludes his post by encouraging anyone to contact him:

"If anyone and I mean anyone guy or girl is struggling with the the same or anything similar please message me as I will be in immediate contact to help in any way i can to provide information or insight on my struggles and I would love to help. Praise be to God and thank him for my ability to be honest about this."

Julius' post also gained attention for his story and BED from the Washington Post, USA Today, Self, Bleacher Report, and ESPN.

Not only does Julius’ post serve as an example of BED in media and popular culture in-and-of itself, but the reactions and comments the post had also add to our cultural understanding and framing of BED. Julius’ Facebook post received over 6,600 reactions, over 545 shares, and over 730 comments. Common phrases and words used in the comments were “proud of you,” “thank you for sharing,” and “courage.” Some comments were short stories about people or their family and friends who have or are struggling with BED. These reactions and comments show that we as a society are willing to provide support to those with BED.

By sharing his story, Julius shows that BED, and eating disorders in general, can affect anyone. Julius was shown support from coaches and teammates, fans, the media, and the binge eating disorder community because he was willing to talk about his eating disorder. It is through communication, with themselves and others, that those with BED can work through and get the support and help they need for their recovery.

The Conversation on Social Media

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Body transformations show various staging of BED.

Instagram: @jessie_mfp

Sometimes the pictures are of controlled and balanced meals, often representing the "good" binge-free days. Other pictures may be of empty food packages and wrappers, representing the "bad" days.

Instagram: @bingeeaterconfessions

Those with mental disorders, like BED, may see themselves as broken. This post shows that those with BED recognize, and appreciate, those who have been with them through the hardest times of their illness.

As of early December 2016, there were over 96,000 posts that include #bingeeatingdisorder on Instagram. Other similar hashtags were #bingeeating and #bingeeatingrecovery. Both the top posts and most recent posts with #bingeeatingdisorder were posts of and from women, and included body and weight pictures, food pictures, and quotations, as seen above. The quotations had messages of either strength or struggles. Some posts were positive, conveying hope and progress towards BED recovery. Other posts were negative, conveying frustration and relapses with BED. Women ran the accounts that these posts came from. The captions written for the body and weight pictures described how the person was working through or had worked through their BED. The captions for pictures of food described the food, and sometimes including nutritional information. The captions for images of quotations described the quotation by rephrasing it or explaining how it was applicable to their life. Each post had likes and comments. The comments left by other users included encouraging words and phrases.

Through this social media platform, the BED conversation is happening and is important. And that conversation is happening between people from all over the world. Instagram, and specifically #bingeeatingdisorder, allow those with BED to connect with others as they share their experiences with BED. The hashtag allows for a community of those with BED to be created, providing the acknowledgement and awareness of BED and an understanding and support for those with BED. The likes and comments further show support for those with BED, from people they might not even know in real life. However, the conversation needs to be more than just on social media

Our Relationships Affect the Conversation

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Studies have found that our interpersonal relationships are affected by and affect BED.

Those with BED report feelings of anger, loneliness, disgust, exhaustion, and shame. They have a low self-esteem and avoid social situations.

Stressful life events, like family conflicts, social problems, and disagreement with a partner, have been reported by those with BED. Interpersonal issues have been found to be binge triggers in women with binge eating disorder. When communication is lacking and there is an inability to identify and express feelings, there may be a stronger desire to eat.

Interpersonal difficulties should be addressed as a part of treatment. The understanding and endorsement of social support and interpersonal relations is needed in recovery. Social support has shown to increase the understanding of eating disorders, enhance motivation, provide support, and improve their overall health in those with BED.

Continue the Conversation

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You can continue the conversation by sharing your own BED story with others. Talking through your story and expressing your emotions may bring you strength and support from others.

If someone shares their BED story with you, be understanding and supportive. The opportunity to talk through their story and emotions may be just what they need.

The dark must be consciously and constantly fought for those with BED. Yet even in BED's darkness, there is light in that the conversation about BED is happening. We can continue to bring light to BED as we encourage those with it to be open and honest about their lives. There is hope in the light that those with BED can find support from others in their recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling with BED, or any other type of eating disorder, or if you would more information on eating disorders and their treatment, please call the National Eating Disorder Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237, or check out these other resources.

Scholarly Sources

Ansell, E. B., Grilo, C. M., & White, M. A. (2012). Examining the interpersonal model of binge eating and loss of control over eating in women. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 45(1), 43-50. doi:10.1002/eat.20897

Degortes, D., Santonastaso, P., Zanetti, T., Tenconi, E., Veronese, A., & Favaro, A. (2014). Stressful life events and binge eating disorder. European Eating Disorders Review, 22(5), 378-382. doi:10.1002/erv.2308

Eldredge, K. L., Locke, K. D., & Horowitz, L. M. (1998). Patterns of interpersonal problems associated with binge eating disorder. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 23(4), 383-389.

Fong Leung, S., MA, J., & Russell, J. (2012). Breaking the silence of eating disorders with the hope of an online self-help programme. Contemporary Nurse: A Journal For The Australian Nursing Profession, 40(2), 245-257.

Levine, M. P. (2012). Loneliness and eating disorders. Journal of Psychology, 146(1/2), 243-257. doi:10.1080/00223980.2011.606435

Svaldi, J., Dorn, C., & Trentowska, M. (2011). Effectiveness for interpersonal problem-solving is reduced in women with binge eating disorder. European Eating Disorders Review, 19(4), 331-341. doi:10.1002/erv.1050

Zeeck, A., Stelzer, N., Linster, H. W., Joos, A., & Hartmann, A. (2011). Emotion and eating in binge eating disorder and obesity. European Eating Disorders Review, 19(5), 426-437. doi:10.1002/erv.1066