Binge eating is defined as “excessive consumption of food” or having more than necessary food in a short period. When you stress eat or eat way too much because you are feeling emotional or sad or depressed, you are most probably binge eating. If you do engage in such habits frequently, you should ask yourself, ” do I have a binge eating disorder?”. If this is the case, there is a simple way you can find out whether you do have this disorder. You can take the binge eating disorder test.

Firstly, let’s talk in detail about what is “binge eating disorder” is (BED). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition (DSM – 5) is the most accepted guidebook when we talk about mental disorders. The DSM 5 defines BED as eating a significantly large quantity, i.e. amount of food. This food is consumed in a short period of time and in a particular situation. This amount of food is more when compared to what most other people would consume.

Please note that BED is different from normal overeating. People who binge eat feel “compelled” or have no control over their impulse to eat. Their food habits are very unhealthy. They tend to feel guilty after the act but feel like they have no willpower at all when it comes to not eating. Generally, this order is seen in the late teens or early 20s in women and mid-life in men.

  To begin with, go through the following points and evaluate for yourself if you engage in these things by simply responding “yes” or “no”.

You have these binge-eating episodes – eat way too much in a short window of time

• You feel you just can NOT eat
• There is a feeling of not being in control of your eating habits
• You feel guilty after eating
• You feel depressed and unhappy about eating too much
• Even when you are full, you continue to eat
• Excessive eating might cause discomfort
• You tend to eat alone
• Feeling embarrassed about eating too much
• Eat very quickly

So, if you do find yourself agreeing to a majority of these points, it is likely that you might have had episodes of binge eating. Other than these simple signs, there are some indirect signs that indicate that you have BED.

• Feeling depressed or anxious
• Going on frequent diets
• Fasting or skipping meals
• Feeling ashamed to eat in front of others
• Reduced interest in hobbies and daily activities
• Feeling very conscious about own body
• Being preoccupied with how you look
• Increased level of stress

These are symptoms of BED which can cause physical and mental impairments. If you engage in these symptoms, please seek help immediately.

This test is a simple way to find out whether you do engage in this unhealthy eating habit. Simple online versions of this test are available, which you can do at home by yourself.

However, there is an easy way to find out whether you have this disorder or not. First, go through your responses to the above-mentioned signs. If you have replied “yes” to a majority of these statements, then you might be having the Binge Eating Disorder.

Secondly, the most recommended next step is that you visit or consult a mental health professional or doctor. They might take a complete medical and mental history and do a physical examination to confirm the suspected diagnosis. Thereis no shame or embarrassment about getting help if needed. Being aware of your own self is the first and most important step towards becoming a “better you”.

There are a few direct and indirect risk factors that might affect one’s health and result in binge eating disorder. Some of these factors are discussed below. While reading, it might be helpful to introspect and evaluate if you relate to these feelings and experiences.

Stress

Stress is a very significant factor that can influence one’s mental and physical well-being. When we experience any stressful situation or go through a stressful event, we tend to do things that might cause us harm. Some stressful events that can result in you binge eating are

• Waiting for exam results
• Preparing for exam
• Office work-related deadlines
• Break-up or heartbreak
• Being diagnosed with a disorder or disease
• Financial issues
• Relationship problems

Thus, these situations can result in huge mental pressure due to fear of failure, a feeling of loss, anxiety about the future, etc. In these situations, you are more likely to eat way too much. Several repeated episodes of such stressful eating can lead to Binge Eating Disorder.

Personality Traits

Another factor that might lead to the development of this disorder has certain personality traits. These factors include being a nervous or fearful kind of person. If you are someone who gets scared easily or gets nervous about things, then yes, you are more likely to stress about things and become a nervous wretch.

Also, if you are someone who is too rigid or strict about things, needs things to be done in a correct, almost perfect manner, you might break down more often when things do not go your way. These incidences can also result in you overeating to overcome your anxieties.

If you have these personality traits, it is better that you quickly take the binge eating disorder test!

Family history and childhood experiences

As they say, “you cannot outrun our destiny”. Similarly, you cannot outrun your family or your genes. Eating disorders can be passed on through genes. If your parents have eating disorders, then it is more likely that you might have it too.

Another aspect to consider here is that you learn from your environment and your first and more influential environment is your family. What you see your parents do, you tend to repeat the same. You tend to learn their ways of coping.

Body Image and self-esteem

In today’s world, it is very difficult to have a healthy sense of self. The social standards or models we see around us are focused on “looking good and having the perfect body”. This holds true for both men and women. For men, having six-pack abs and a gym body, and for women, having a beach/bikini body, being fair, being size zero has become the most sought-after thing. With such untenable ideals and standards, it is impossible to keep up. The pressure of being popular on social media can greatly cause harm to one’s self-esteem. Thus, all these factors can lead to poor self-esteem, stress, and anxiety. This, in turn, can cause episodes of emotional and nervous eating. After going through the list of signs and risk factors, if you feel that you show most of these factors, then it is better to get help.

The good thing about binge eating disorder is that it can be treated. Mental health professionals can help you understand the root cause of your anxiety or fear. They can help you to develop strategies and ways of overcoming and handling these situations through therapy.

If needed, you can consult a doctor who can prescribe medication. You can opt for medication if the symptoms start getting worse or things get out of control and unbearable.

Overall, it is good to take a test and be sure about what the issue is. If you know what is the difficulty that you are facing, you will be better able to handle it.