Binge Eating, also known as falászavar: what does it mean?

What exactly is binge eating?

If we look at the eating disorder called binge eating (BED) from a diagnostic point of view, it would be described like this:

Binge eating disorder is characterized by so-called binge episodes, which are  uncontrollable eating episodes in which the person consumes a large amount of food in a short time, often without being hungry. These episodes often happen because of stress, anxiety, depression or other emotional factors. One of the most important features of binge episodes is that the person cannot control the eating, and the episodes are often associated with feelings of shame or guilt. These episodes often happen in secret, because the people affected feel ashamed of this behavior.

A very common feature of binge episodes is the so-called urge talk which basically pushes the person to give in to the momentary pleasure of binging. This talk almost always seems logical at the moment of the urge, and the person experiences it as their own voice. But this kind of inner monologue does not match the person's real goals or wishes; it is made up of false signals coming from lower (more primitive) regions of the brain. During the process, higher brain regions give these signals meaning and detail, so that they become favorable for the person's conscious, reasoning self.

The urges, and the accompanying urge talk, come from two relatively simple psychological mechanisms, one is the survival instinct, and the other is conditioning. The survival instinct is an adaptive response when our brain detects danger, and in this context the danger comes from dieting. When we deprive the body of the necessary calories for a long time, our brain switches into a survival-oriented state.  Binge episodes are basically the brain's healthy response, because it is trying to make up for the lack.

Through conditioning, this otherwise natural process becomes an eating disorder, because after binge episodes happen repeatedly, our brain demands and expects the next one. Eating, as mentioned above, is a stress reliever, a brain dopamine-releasing activity, so binge episodes can easily get positive reinforcement, and then become a maladaptive phenomenon in the person's life.

Binge eating disorder is different from bulimia, because binge episodes are not followed by compensatory behavior, such as vomiting or excessive exercise. In the long run binge episodes carry significant health risks, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.

Treatment usually consists of a combination of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and, in some cases, medication. The goal of treatment is to uncover the emotional and psychological causes, that trigger binge episodes, and to develop effective strategies for the person to manage emotions, change eating habits, and regain control.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if this is binge eating disorder, or if I just overeat sometimes?

It is a disorder when you regularly experience loss of control over eating, and the episodes are almost always followed by deep guilt or shame.

Can a strict diet help stop binge episodes for good?

Quite the opposite. Fasting and restriction trigger a “hunger alarm” in your brain, which almost always triggers another, even more intense episode in you.

Am I missing willpower because I can't stop eating?

It is not that you lack willpower, but during the episode the instinctive, survival-focused part of your brain takes over, and at that moment it is almost impossible to stop it with logical arguments.

What can I do in that critical minute when I feel the binge urge coming over me?

Try to move physically away from the food, and give yourself ten minutes while you remind yourself that this is only a passing brain urge, not real physical hunger.

 Source: Kathryn, H., (2016). Brain over Binge Recovery Guide. Camellia Publishing.