The DSM-5 has classified binge eating disorder as an independent ED [24], for episodes of binge eating which occur without compensatory weight control methods. As with bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder is accompanied by the sense of loss of control, which can include eating until uncomfortably full, eating more quickly than normal, eating when not physically hungry, eating in isolation, and feeling disgustedor guilty afterwards [24, 882]. Care should be taken not to confuse binge eating disorder (a psychiatric condition) with obesity (a medical condition), even though they may physically resemble each other. Symptoms include [882]:
- Obesity.
- Hyperlipidaemia (elevated lipids in the blood).
- Type 2 diabetes.
Common to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are a dysfunctional system of evaluating a person’s self-worth, which, rather than being based on personal qualities and achievements across various domains (e.g., academic accomplishments, athletic ability, work achievements, values, relationship qualities), is focused on weight, size, shape and appearance [888]. People with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder experience feelings of loss of control over their eating, and are at increased risk of additional psychiatric comorbidities. In bulimia nervosa, binge eating is thought to result from severely restricting food intake, but those with binge eating disorder do not illustrate the same intake restrictions between binge episodes [882].