BINGE EATING DISORDER: HOW TO RECOGNISE THE SIGNS

Emma Broadhurst, from Beat, explains some of the indications to look out for

BECOMING SECRETIVE

The sufferer will not want to eat in front of others or avoid gatherings where food is a focus. At meal times, they might pick at food or say, ‘I’ll eat something later.’

ALOSSOF CONTROL

Uncontrollable binges, where the person slips into a trance-like state and will binge on whatever is in front of them, are distressing and feelings of guilt can follow. A binge eater will typically eat when they’re not hungry or eat until they’re uncomfortably full.

HOARDING FOOD

Sufferers may stockpile snacks and food. In a lockdown, those with a binge eating disorder may be hoarding more in the event they can’t return to the shop and buy it again.

FEELING DEPRESSED

You may notice a change in mood or increased irritability. Depression and anxiety are common with this disorder.

OBSESSING OVER MEALS

The sufferer could be constantly talking about food. They might scour the internet for new recipes, examine calorie content, or cook extravagant meals for others, though not eat it themselves – always doing things around food. This obsessing is common across all these eating disorders.

CONSTANTLY EXHAUSTED

Keeping a disorder secret is both physically and psychologically exhausting and they might experience difficulty sleeping

PUTTING ON WEIGHT

A large portion of people who binge might be overweight or obese. If somebody is gaining weight, and you want to raise it with them, choose a time and place where you won’t be disturbed and avoid talking before or after a meal time, as that could be a stressor.