Binge eating is a behavior that is becoming increasingly common among many individuals, including children and adolescence, boys and men, ethnic minorities, and older adults.
In fact, by 2030, it is estimated that around 1.5 million U.S. men and women will have a binge-eating disorder.
It is also one of the few symptoms that occur in almost all of the eating disorder subtypes.
More importantly, the presence of recurrent binge eating is associated with numerous deleterious medical, psychological, and social complications
But are all binges the same?
One common misconception is that all binges are the same.
Binge eating can be highly variable from person to person and from episode to episode.
Identifying which type of binge episode a person engages in is important for better understanding the potential psychological mechanisms that account for its persistence, and may help uncover which intervention approach may be most useful.
We can usefully distinguish between four different types of binge episodes:
1. Objective binges
This is the most common type of binge episode, and the one we usually think about whenever the term “binge” comes to mind. It refers to the consumption of an unusually large amount of food (> 1,500 calories) in a short period (
2. Subjective binges
These types of binges are less common, but research has shown that they may be equally distressing and impairing. It refers to eating what is not considered a large amount of food but is accompanied by a sense of loss of control. Research indicates that these binges tend to occur commonly in children, as younger people cannot usually consume masses of food that meets that threshold for an objective binge.
3. Slow-motion binges
These episodes can be spotted in advance. A lot of people can fight these binges off for a while, but eventually, give in to the urge because they want to relieve some anxiety or tension. There is enjoyment associated with eating during the early phases of this binge, but this quickly fades after the guilt kicks in.
4. Half-binges
These episodes resemble a subjective binge, but there are also important differences. Half-binges occur mostly at night, where the person will eat a relatively large (but not too excessive) amount of food in a hurry but without panic. Half-binges are described as an automatic reaction to some sort of adverse event.
Blue M&Ms
Source: Candy Time, Used With Permission
Similarities between binge episodes
Although there are some important differences between the four types of binge episodes, there are also core similarities.
1. Secrecy
A hallmark feature of all binges is that they are practiced in private.
It is not unusual for a person to lock themselves in their bedroom, bathroom, or car while eating. This is typically a consequence of the shame and embarrassment experienced with binge eating.
2. Non-hungry eating
While a lot of binges can be triggered by extreme hunger, during the midst of a binge, this hunger has subsided, and the person usually continues to eat even if they’re uncomfortably full.
Because binge episodes serve some sort of functional purpose (e.g., regulate mood), it is not surprising that they are practiced in the absence of hunger.
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3. Loss of control
All binges are characterized by a loss of control.
Without this feature, the eating behavior would probably be classified as overeating.
Loss of control in this context refers to the lack of awareness and the inability to stop the behavior.
4. Rapid eating
A peculiar feature of binge eating is that the speed of eating increases drastically after each mouthful.
This feature coincides with the loss of control because the person is operating in autopilot mode and lacks complete awareness of their behavior.
Because of this, many people describe not even tasting the food they have eaten because it has been consumed so quickly.
Getting help
It is important to get a hold of binge-eating behaviors before they spiral out of control. But if you’ve binged and are wondering, “What now?” check out my article on what to do after a binge eating episode.
