Binge Eating vs. Overeating: What’s The Difference?

We have all had the experience of overeating, or eating past the point of fullness.  Perhaps you went for a second serving of a delicious meal even when you were no longer hungry just because it tasted so good! Or perhaps you ate more than you normally would at a family or holiday meal which left you feeling uncomfortably full.  This is really normal and I truly don’t know anyone who hasn’t experienced overeating.  But a common misconception people have about binge eating disorder is that binge eating is the same thing as overeating.  

Binge eating and overeating are certainly not the same thing, and in this article I would like to explore their differences to help further understand what binge eating disorder is and how it differs from simply overeating. 

What is overeating?

Overeating is eating more than your body needs, or eating past the point of fullness.  It is situational and not compulsive.  While overeating does involve eating more than what feels good physically, it is not in and of itself an eating disorder behavior.  

What is binge eating and binge eating disorder? 

Binge eating is defined as consuming large quantities of food in a short period of time.  Binge eating disorder is when you compulsively binge eat, experience a loss of control over your eating and consume much larger amounts that you normally would if you were not binge eating. There are no consistent compensatory behaviors in the same way that there is for bulimia, such as inducing vomiting, overexercising or using laxatives.  This does not mean that someone with binge eating disorder will never attempt to compensate for that food consumed, or engage in compensatory behaviors some of the time, but rather that it is not ritualistically and consistently part of the behavior.  

Binge eating disorder is a diagnosable eating disorder, and as such, has specific diagnostic criteria. 

To be diagnosed with binge eating disorder all of the following must be present (according to the DSM-5): 

• Noticeable distress over binge eating episodes 

• Loss of control over the amount of food eaten or feeling as though you cannot stop once you start binge eating (I often describe this sensation as going into “tunnel vision” when binge eating- those who binge eat will absolutely get this analogy!)

• Binge eating episodes that have been occurring at least one time a week for 3 months or more 

In addition, to be diagnosed with binge eating disorder, 3 (or more) of the following criteria must also be present:

• Eating until uncomfortably full (Learn more about hunger and fullness here!) 

• Eating more rapidly than “normal” (normal meaning the individuals normal pace of eating outside of a binge, which of course varies for everyone) 

• Within a set period of time (for example, 2 hours), eating a larger quantity of food than what most people would eat in a similar time frame and under similar circumstances

• Feelings of guilt, sadness and disgust with self after binge eating (immense upset and distress over what has happened) 

• Eating in isolation due to embarrassment around how much is being eaten

• Eating large quantities of food when not physically hungry 

Binge eating disorder is much more common than anorexia or bulimia, impacting at least double the cases of both anorexia and bulimia combined, if not more. 

In spite of how common binge eating disorder is, it can often go undetected from family and friends, or not get taken as seriously when it comes to support needed as one would with either anorexia or bulimia.  However, binge eating disorder greatly impacts the individual suffering by negatively affecting their mental and physical health, as well as their quality of life, in a very significant way.  Those with binge eating disorder are just as deserving of and in need of support and treatment as any other eating disorder.  

Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder: 

• Eating in isolation/ avoiding eating in public 

• Hiding food in room or car 

• Finding wrappers, packaging or empty boxes, but never being seen eating these foods

• Yo-yo dieting

• Coming on and off fitness plans/ new exercise routines 

• Skipping meals

• Poor body image/ extreme distress around body, weight, shape 

• Frequent body checking, weighing, measuring 

• Frequent weight fluctuations 

• Withdrawal from friends, family, social situations, hobbies, etc. 

• Low self esteem 

• Digestive issues (bloating, cramps, constipation, acid reflux, etc.) 

• Difficulty concentrating

• Anxiety and/ or depression 

Commonly Co-occurring Conditions: 

• Anxiety / Social anxiety 

• PTSD 

• Substance abuse 

• Bipolar disorder 

• Suicidality 

• Self harm 

• Depression 

• ADHD (read more about ADHD and eating disorders here) 

• IBS (read more about IBS and eating disorders here) 

If you are struggling with binge eating disorder and are looking for support in overcoming binge eating, we would love to offer you a free consultation.  I have been there too, and at one point felt like it was absolutely impossible to overcome…but I promise you, a full recovery is absolutely possible.  You can 100% overcome binge eating. Click here to reach out if you would like to connect, share more about what you are experiencing, and receive some guidance on best next steps in the journey towards recovery.