Binge Eating Disorder (BED): A Real, Severe, and Treatable Behavioral Health Condition

Thrive • March 4, 2022

By Thrive Waco’s Executive Director Erin McGinty Fort, M.S., MHA, LPC-S, CEDS-S

WHAT IS BINGE EATING DISORDER (BED)?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a type of eating disorder characterized by frequently eating large amounts of food within short periods of time. Individuals with BED may feel a loss of control while binging and afterwards can experience significant feelings of shame, guilt, and distress.

When most people think about an individual with an eating disorder, they envision someone who is young, white, thin, and wealthy. Most media portrayals of eating disorders, such that depicted by Lily Collins in “To the Bone,” reinforce this idea. In fact, many would assume that anorexia is the most common eating disorder in the United States.

However, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) , BED is actually the most common type of eating disorder in the United States, and can affect men and women of all ages and sizes. This is important to note because it has become so normal to associate weight and appearance with whether or not someone has an eating disorder. Individuals who struggle with binge eating can be of any weight, shape, or size, and many are at what people would consider to be a “normal” weight. For that reason, it’s helpful to be aware of other signs or symptoms that may indicate someone is struggling with BED.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF BINGE EATING

Eating large quantities of food, even if not hungry
Eating secretively
Feeling out of control during and/or after a binge episode
Feeling shame, disgust, or sadness following binges
Feeling uncomfortably full after eating
Sometimes individuals will become physically ill after a binge
Some people will attempt to “get back on track,” or “reset” after binging. For many, this can mean that they return to a cycle of restriction, depriving themselves of foods that they enjoy, compulsive exercise, or other unhealthy behaviors to compensate
Many people diet frequently and embrace any new fads surrounding eating and weight loss
Some, but not all, can experience significant fluctuations in their weight

For further insight into signs of eating disorders, you can assess disordered eating behaviors here .

WHAT’S BEHIND BINGE EATING?

Binge eating has many different types of triggers. Some individuals binge out of hunger because they are restricting their food intake throughout the day and simply are not meeting their nutritional needs. Many people cut foods that they enjoy out of their day-to-day intake, yet continue to crave those foods. When people feel deprived of what they enjoy eating, they may end up binging on these foods later on.

Emotions can also play a role in triggering binge eating. Feelings such as stress, anxiety, loneliness, anger, and even joy can trigger someone to binge. Usually, an individual is looking to the food itself or the act of binging to meet some type of emotional need. For example, a person who feels overwhelmed with life’s demands might only find relief from that stress in the midst of a binge episode. Food can also represent comfort and some may use binge eating as a way to self-soothe.

People can also binge eat out of habit. Sometimes, when we are sitting with a client at Thrive and ask them about why they binge, they might say, “I don’t know anymore” or “It’s what I’ve always done.”

No matter what is triggering the binge eating, it is more common than many realize. The behavior is a pattern that people feel a great deal of shame about, which can make it very difficult to seek help without fear of judgment from a medical or mental health provider.

STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE NEEDS HELP WITH BINGE EATING

Many of our clients have had painful and invalidating experiences with providers who are not educated about eating disorders, especially binge eating. Sometimes, said clinicians will recommend that clients lose weight, which can reinforce the belief that their weight is the issue. Those who are seeking help for themselves or a loved one should turn to providers who are knowledgeable and competent in treating eating disorders. These providers will look beyond weight and appearance to assess the whole person, which is in alignment with the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach .

THRIVE’S APPROACH TO EATING DISORDER TREATMENT

Thrive values a multidisciplinary approach to treating people with eating disorders, and BED is no exception to that. Our teams include therapists, dietitians, psychiatrists, and primary care providers who work together to treat the whole person with compassion, non-judgment, and respect. Our hope is that for our clients who have become afraid to seek medical and mental health care as a result of negative experiences, Thrive offers a reparative experience that clients find nurturing, healing, and empowering.

To learn more about Thrive’s nutritional philosophy and approach to eating disorder treatment, or to start the process of finding help for yourself or someone you love, please reach out.

About the Author

Thrive Waco’s Executive Director Erin McGinty Fort, MS, MHA, LPC-S, CEDS-S

Erin is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor in the state of Texas and has her graduate degrees in both Counseling and Health Administration. She is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist through the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (iaedp), which allows clients to rest assured that they are receiving care from a highly trained, competent, and skilled provider in the area of eating disorders. She is a professional member of both iaedp and the Academy for Eating Disorders. She has specialized training in anxiety disorders, trauma, and perinatal mental health.

She has regularly provided eating disorder training and conference presentations to medical and mental health professionals.

A transplant from the Midwest, Erin has embraced Texas as her home. When not working at Thrive Waco, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and furry son.

The post Binge Eating Disorder (BED): A Real, Severe, and Treatable Behavioral Health Condition first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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When Mealtimes Become Battlegrounds: How ARFID Impacts Families

August 21, 2025

When Emma was 8, her parents noticed her food choices shrinking. At first, they assumed it was just picky eating — “She’ll outgrow it,” friends said. But by 10, Emma would only eat crackers, cheese, and chicken nuggets. Family dinners became nightly struggles, her growth slowed, and she skipped birthday parties to avoid “strange food.” Her parents felt powerless, her brother grew frustrated, and outings dwindled. What began as food avoidance soon reshaped the rhythm of the entire household. When children avoid food, most parents expect it’s a passing stage. But when restriction deepens, shrinks to only a few “safe foods,” and begins affecting growth or health, families suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory. This is often where Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) emerges — with effects that extend far beyond the plate. As providers, we need to be attuned to these patterns. It’s tempting to dismiss them as “no big deal,” yet for many families, they are life-altering. Sadly, Emma’s story is not unusual. Mealtimes as Battlegrounds Families living with ARFID often describe mealtimes as emotionally charged, exhausting, and unpredictable. What should be a chance to connect around the table can feel more like a negotiation or even a standoff. Parents wrestle with whether to push their child to try a new food or give in to the same “safe foods” again and again to avoid tears, gagging, or complete meltdowns. This ongoing tension can make mealtimes dreaded rather than cherished. Siblings, too, are affected. Some may feel resentful when family meals are limited to what only one child will tolerate. Others may act out in response to the constant attention the child with ARFID receives. Over time, the dinner table shifts from a place of nourishment and bonding into a stage for conflict, anxiety, and guilt — a pattern that can erode family cohesion and resilience. Social Isolation and Missed Experiences ARFID impacts more than what happens at home; it influences how families engage with the world around them. Everyday events — birthday parties, school lunches, vacations, even extended family dinners — become sources of stress. Parents may pack special foods to avoid confrontation or, in many cases, decline invitations altogether to protect their child from embarrassment or overwhelm. This avoidance can lead to an unintended consequence: isolation. Families miss out on milestones, friendships, and traditions because of the unpredictability surrounding food. The child may feel left out or ashamed, while parents grieve the loss of “normal” family experiences. This social withdrawal can compound the anxiety already present in ARFID and deepen its impact across generations. Emotional Toll on Parents The emotional strain on parents navigating ARFID is significant. Many describe living in a constant state of worry — Will my child get enough nutrients? Will they ever grow out of this? Am I doing something wrong? This worry often spirals into guilt and self-blame, particularly when outside voices dismiss the disorder as mere “picky eating.” In addition, the pressure to “fix” mealtimes can strain marital relationships, creating disagreements over discipline, feeding strategies, or medical decisions. Parents may also feel emotionally depleted, pouring all their energy into managing one child’s needs while inadvertently neglecting themselves or their other children. Without support, this chronic stress can lead to burnout, depression, and disconnection within the family system. The Role of Providers For clinicians, ARFID must be viewed not only as an individual diagnosis but as a family-wide challenge. Effective care requires attention to both the clinical symptoms and the family dynamics that shape recovery. Parent Support: Educating caregivers that ARFID is not their fault, offering psychoeducation, and helping them reframe mealtime struggles as part of the disorder — not a parenting failure. Family-Based Interventions: Coaching families in structured meal support, communication strategies, and gradual exposure work so parents don’t feel powerless. Holistic Care: Involving therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and medical providers ensures that the family does not shoulder the weight of treatment alone. When families are validated, supported, and given practical tools, the entire household can begin to heal. Treatment is not only about expanding a child’s food repertoire but also about restoring peace, resilience, and connection at home. Moving Forward ARFID may begin with one individual, but its ripple effects are felt across the entire family system. By addressing both the psychological and relational dimensions, providers can help transform mealtimes from a source of conflict into an opportunity for healing and connection. For those who want to go deeper, we invite you to join our upcoming training on ARFID , where we will explore practical strategies for supporting both clients and their families.

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Is It OCD or an Eating Disorder? What Parents Need to Know

July 17, 2025

As a parent, noticing alarming behaviors around food or routines in your child can raise some important questions. You might be asking yourself, “Is this an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or something else entirely?” Understanding the signs and differences between these disorders is key to getting your child effective, timely treatment. In this blog, we’ll break down the overlap between OCD and eating disorders, what signs to watch for, and how to get professional help. If you're a parent wondering “Is my child’s eating disorder actually OCD?” or “OCD vs eating disorder in teens,” know that you’re not alone and you’re in the right place to find specialized care for your child. What Is OCD? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where unwanted thoughts (obsessions) cause anxiety, leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) intended to ease that anxiety. OCD can be focused on any subject. Common obsessions include contamination, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and harm, but sometimes, the content of obsessions can be focused on food, body image, or weight. What Is an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders , like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involve disturbed eating behaviors and intense concerns about body weight or shape. These conditions go beyond dieting or “picky eating” and can become life-threatening without professional intervention. The Overlap: Why It Can Be Confusing OCD and eating disorders often share similar symptoms : Ritualistic eating (e.g., needing to eat foods in a certain order or at a certain time) Rigid rules about food (like only eating certain food groups or certain amounts of food) Excessive checking (like weighing food or body or repeated checking of expiration dates or thorough cooking) Avoidance behaviors ( like avoiding carbs, fats, or other food groups or avoiding places or objects that can trigger obsessions) Distress when routines are disrupted (either around mealtimes or exercise routines) So, How Can You Tell the Difference? Use the following chart to compare and contrast symptoms of OCD and eating disorders.