This is a mental illness in which people experience episodes of overeating that happen in a short timeframe to the point that a person might reach extreme fullness. People who suffer these episodes may feel they have no control over their eating habits like what to eat, or the amount of food they should be eating. Also, this usually occurs when they’re not even hungry.
Binge eating disorder is characterized by these symptoms: eating large quantities of food, a sense of lack of control over eating, eating until painfully full, gaining weight, feelings of shame, anxiety, guilt, depression, distorted body image, eating alone or in secret.
Like many other mental illnesses, this disorder doesn’t have a specific cause. Researchers point out that it can affect people at different stages in life for many reasons. Also, current theory suggests the reasons could be “a neurological basis with genetic and environmental risk factors”.

Diagnosis

To diagnose binge eating disorder, your doctor may recommend a psychological evaluation, including a discussion of your eating habits.