5 Facts about Binge Eating Disorder (BED) from a Chevy Chase Eating Disorders Therapist

Date: 6/1/2026 | By: Dr. Dana Harron

1.  Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is an eating disorder diagnosis

The term “Binge Eating Disorder (BED)” refers to a condition where a person consumes large amounts of food in a short period of time.  They often feel bad about this behavior and may try to hide it, but the powerful neurochemistry involved in food cravings makes it difficult to refrain from bingeing.  Some people who binge describe feeling numb or spaced out during the episode.

2.  Binge Eating Disorder (BED) may be more common than you think.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is over three times more common than anorexia and bulimia combined, and it’s more common than HIV, breast cancer, or schizophrenia (1).  If you are struggling with Binge Eating Disorder (BED), you are certainly not alone.

3.  Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is not about the food

In eating disorders, food gets used in order to meet emotional needs.  Bingeing may help a person feel numb or disembodied, or it may give them an arena to play out powerful feelings about shame and guilt.  Many people who binge have had some sort of trauma.

4.  Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is not about lack of will power

Our culture has an overly moralistic attitude towards food.  It might seem easy to think that someone with BED only needs to stop bingeing, but the drivers for that behavior are extremely powerful.  It’s somewhat akin to telling someone with insomnia to just start sleeping.

5.  Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is treatable

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is highly treatable.  A good eating disorders therapist can help you to target the symptoms through modalities like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectic behavior therapy (DBT).  If your therapist is an integrationist, they may also use the healing power of the relationship to help you to feel safe in addressing any deeper issues, such as low self-worth, depression, or any trauma history

(1) Hudson JI, Hiripi E, Pope HG Jr, and Kessler RC. (2007). The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biological Ps4.ychiatry, 61(3):348-58. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2006.03.040.

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