Uncontrolled eating: what is BED (binge eating disorder)

By Cristiano Antonino On Mar 10, 2023

Binge eating disorder, or BED, is the most important pathological manifestation of eating behaviour included in the category of atypical eating disorders

The sufferer of uncontrolled eating manifests bulimic binge-eating behaviour but does not engage in the compensatory behaviours typical of bulimia (vomiting, laxatives, physical activity, fasting), does not follow a diet and tends to eat uncontrollably even outside binges.

They do not manifest dietary restriction and have very different manifestations from those of anorexic patients

Generally there is a condition of overweight or obesity that leads to marked discomfort and low self-esteem.

People with uncontrolled eating disorder (or binge eating) are very concerned about their eating behaviour, are ashamed of it and judge it to be a serious problem, both because of the feeling of loss of control and voraciousness that they manifest on a daily basis and because of the consequences that binge eating has on their body weight and health.

They have feelings of guilt and repeatedly try to fight compulsive bingeing, but binge eating often takes over and leads them to gorge large quantities of food (often of poor quality) in a short time.

Those who suffer from uncontrolled eating disorder (binge eating) often have medical complications secondary to their degree of obesity (diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, night apnoea, high blood pressure).

From a psychological point of view, those with an uncontrolled eating disorder may manifest depressive disorders and social isolation due to the eating problem or the physical condition of obesity.

Like all eating disorders, binge eating disorder requires a multidisciplinary approach for its treatment, involving collaboration between a psychotherapist, dietician, psychiatrist and internist.

The main objectives of the cognitive-behavioural therapeutic pathway for the treatment of uncontrolled eating disorder are: to modify the self-assessment scheme based on weight, shape and food control, to normalise weight and eating behaviour, to prevent relapse, to improve self-esteem, to develop assertive skills of recognition validation and expression of needs and emotions.

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