What characterizes binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder is primarily characterized by the occurrence of recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food, often accompanied by feelings of a loss of control during the binge. Individuals with this disorder frequently experience distress regarding their eating habits and may feel guilty or ashamed afterward. The focus is on the behavior of eating excessive amounts of food in a short period and not necessarily on the types of food consumed or the context in which eating occurs. While other behaviors related to eating are explored in different eating disorders, the hallmark of binge eating disorder is the specific pattern of binge eating episodes without the compensatory behaviors seen in conditions like bulimia nervosa. This is what makes it distinct, emphasizing the significance of these repeated excessive eating episodes in understanding and identifying the disorder.