What Is Binge Eating? – Characteristics of Binge Eating

The characteristics of binge eating disorder may vary from person to person, but if you find yourself eating large quantities of food very quickly or to the point of discomfort; feeling out of control around food; experiencing overwhelming thoughts about food or shame, distress or guilt after you eat; and possibly (but not necessarily) compensating using unhealthy habits by restricting, overexercising, or purging, you may be struggling with binge eating or bulimia.

What You Might Be Experiencing – Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

    • An overwhelming urge to eat large quantities of food:
    • Low mood
    • Racing thoughts
    • Guilt or shame
    • Secretive behaviors
    • Anxiety
    • Fatigue

You Are Not Alone

Binge eating disorder is the most common eating issue worldwide. It affects an estimated 2.8 million people in the United States alone.

People of all backgrounds can have a binge eating habit. Both men and women struggle with binge eating–in fact, binge eating is the most common food issue among men.

People who are currently overweight, underweight, or at a healthy weight may struggle with binge eating. Binge eating disorder is not the same as moderate overeating and it is not about enjoying food; it’s about using food as a way to feel better.

A key characteristic of binge eating is feeling out of control. People struggling with this issue typically don’t feel as if they are choosing to binge; they feel almost hijacked, as if they are driven to eat large amounts of food at times.
Often, after a binge, people feel guilt, shame, and a low mood.

The chess game
Getting out of a bad habit

What Can I Do About It? – Treatment for Binge Eating

Traditional treatment for binge eating disorder most often includes psychotherapy and in some cases, medication. However, traditional treatment for binge eating is not nearly as effective as we’d wish it to be.

Thankfully, there are newer, less traditional approaches that are incredibly effective. The No-Willpower Approach that I outline in my bestselling book, The Little Book of Big Change: The No-Willpower Approach to Breaking Any Habithas helped countless people find lasting freedom from binge eating and other eating disorders.

The No-Willpower Approach is an insight-based approach that helps you see yourself and your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a radically new way.

Binge Eating Is A Changeable Habit – How to Stop Binge Eating

Although many people struggle with this habit, binge eating is very changeable. You do not need to “cope” with, or “manage” binge eating long-term. No matter how long or how often you’ve been binge eating, there is enormous hope for complete freedom from this habit.

Binge eating is not about overeating and it’s not simply about food; it’s about a few simple misunderstandings about how our thoughts, feelings, and habits truly work. Freedom comes from the inside-out, from seeing yourself, your thoughts and feelings, and what binge eating is in a brand new way.

Family support

Hi, I’m Amy

I struggled with binge eating and bulimia for 8 years. I was told by many well-meaning professionals that I would likely struggle with binge eating disorder forever; that I could learn to cope, but that this habit might always come back when I was feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Thankfully, nothing could be further from the truth today. I have been completely free of binge eating for 10 years with no effort or coping necessary. In that time, I’ve shared what helped me find freedom with people all over the world in my books, videos, online school, and my podcast, Changeable.

I’ve trained over 70 coaches to be experts in the no-willpower paradigm through my Change Coach Training Program. I’ve been a regularly featured expert on The Steve Harvey Show and Oprah.com, as well as in The Wall Street Journal and Self magazine.

Dr Amy Johnson

REAL PEOPLE, REAL CHANGE

What Can I Do To Change My Binge Eating Habit?

Free Binge Eating Webinar
  • Presents a new paradigm for freedom from binge eating
  • Shares why willpower rarely leads to lasting change
  • 90 minutes long
Freedom from binge eating course

We overcame binge eating and we’ll show you how!

  • Digital course – go at your own pace
  • This is a perfect course for those struggling with binge eating
  • Watch Dr. Amy and Change Coach Maria coach 4 women over 4 weeks
  • Over 10 hours of content
A smiling man studying at a laptop
  • LSBC Self-Study – go through Dr. Amy’s flagship course at your own pace
  • 19 video lessons that bring this paradigm to life
  • 1000s of students have found freedom from habits including binge eating
  • Option to upgrade to guided course
The Little School of Big Change

About The Little School of Big Change

My bestselling book, The Little Book of Big Change, and my online school, The Little School of Big Change, have helped tens of thousands of people in 50+ countries find their own freedom from binge eating and other habits without therapy, revisiting the past, medication, or willpower.

The Little School of Big Change is a highly supportive 6-week course that shares a groundbreaking new paradigm in mental health that has helped hundreds of thousands of people around the world to tap into their natural health and resilience.

The school helps you see yourself and your psychology in a radically new way—a way that leads to freedom from what holds you back.

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