Therapy for Binge Eating Disorder
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder is characterized as recurring episodes of binge eating at least once a week for three months. Binge eating can be defined as eating a larger amount of food in a discrete time period that is more than what individuals typically eat.
Binge eating disorder is often associated with feelings of shame or feeling out of control with food. Binge eating disorder is widely misunderstood and many individuals with binge eating disorder feel judged for eating “large amounts” from their families, peers, and even healthcare providers. This can make it difficult to reach out to help, due to having previous negative reactions in their support system. However, we understand the struggles, symptoms, and realities of binge eating disorder and love helping clients to recover.
Living with binge eating disorder is exhausting. It’s so tiring to be constantly thinking about food and your body, and to feel totally “out of control” during binge episodes. You might tell yourself each time that you aren’t going to do it again, but then it keeps happening.
Binge eating disorder is often associated with feelings of shame or feeling out of control with food. Binge eating disorder is widely misunderstood and many individuals with binge eating disorder feel judged for eating “large amounts” from their families, peers, and even healthcare providers. This can make it difficult to reach out to help, due to having previous negative reactions in their support system. However, we understand the struggles, symptoms, and realities of binge eating disorder and love helping clients to recover.
Living with binge eating disorder is exhausting. It’s so tiring to be constantly thinking about food and your body, and to feel totally “out of control” during binge episodes. You might tell yourself each time that you aren’t going to do it again, but then it keeps happening.
Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder (BED):
- Eating large amounts of food (larger than one would typically eat) in a certain time period.
- Feeling a lack of control while eating.
- Eating more rapidly than usual.
- Eating until uncomfortably full.
- Eating large amounts of food without hunger cues.
- Experiencing guilt or disgust after eating large amounts of food.
- Eating alone because of shameful feelings around eating.
If this resonates with you-we can help!
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from binge eating disorder and reclaim their lives. We help clients to make peace with food, their bodies and ultimately themselves. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for binge eating disorder in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for binge eating disorder virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from binge eating disorder, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
Our team at The Eating Disorder Center in Rockville, Maryland has therapists that truly specialize in helping teens and adults to recover from binge eating disorder and reclaim their lives. We help clients to make peace with food, their bodies and ultimately themselves. Recovery is possible!
We provide therapy for binge eating disorder in Rockville, Maryland, serving Bethesda, Potomac, Gaithersburg, and Olney. We also provide therapy for binge eating disorder virtually throughout Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Florida, Pennsylvania, and California.
We know that part of you may be scared to recover, while part of you desperately wants to be free from this. With specialized therapy geared towards helping you to recover from binge eating disorder, you don't have to continue to feel so trapped.
How can we help?
At The Eating Disorder Center we are highly skilled in providing therapy for individuals who are struggling with binge eating disorder. We will work as part of a treatment team to help you to recover from binge eating disorder, which may include a physician, dietitian, and/or psychiatrist.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders. We provide clients with specific skills to cope with urges to binge. We also address the underlying triggers, such as restriction, trauma, stress and coping with emotions.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to recover from binge eating disorder.
We use evidence-based treatment methods, including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) skills, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and modified FBT treatment. We are Health At Every Size (HAES) informed providers. If there is co-occurring trauma we also offer EMDR therapy for trauma and eating disorders. We provide clients with specific skills to cope with urges to binge. We also address the underlying triggers, such as restriction, trauma, stress and coping with emotions.
We pride ourselves on being action-oriented therapists, setting recovery goals, and doing exposures with clients, such as eating meals or snacks together. We value collaboration with other local eating disorder treatment providers. Many of our therapists are also personally recovered from eating disorders.
We are thankful to have helped many people to recover from binge eating disorder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a treatable eating disorder marked by recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food (in a discrete period of time) with a sense of loss of control. Unlike other eating disorders, binge eating is not followed by purging behaviors. BED is a mental health illness, not a lack of willpower.
What are the symptoms of binge eating disorder?
Symptoms may include frequent binge eating episodes, feeling out of control while eating, eating rapidly or until uncomfortably full, eating when not physically hungry, and feelings of guilt, shame, or distress afterward.
How do I know if I have binge eating disorder vs. just overeating?
Occasional overeating is common. Binge eating disorder involves repeated episodes that feel compulsive, cause emotional distress, and impact daily life. If food feels overwhelming or out of control, a professional assessment can help to clarify.
What causes binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder develops from a combination of factors, including dieting and food restriction, emotional stress or trauma, biological and genetic influences, and difficulty coping with emotions.
Who is most likely to develop binge eating disorder?
BED can affect people of all ages, genders, and body sizes. It is the most common eating disorder and often impacts individuals with a history of dieting, weight cycling, anxiety, depression, or chronic stress.
How is binge eating disorder diagnosed?
BED is diagnosed through a comprehensive clinical assessment by a qualified professional. This includes reviewing eating behaviors, emotional health, and how symptoms affect daily functioning.
How can binge eating disorder be treated?
Binge eating disorder is highly treatable. Care often includes therapy, nutrition counseling, and support to address emotional and behavioral patterns around food. At The Eating Disorder Center, treatment is individualized and non-diet focused.
Can binge eating disorder go away on its own? / What is recovery like?
BED rarely resolves without support. Recovery is a gradual process focused on reducing binge behaviors, improving one’s relationship with food, and building healthy coping skills. With treatment, full recovery is possible.
What are the physical and mental health effects of binge eating disorder?
BED can impact physical health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. It is commonly associated with anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and medical concerns—especially when left untreated.
How do I find help or support for binge eating disorder?
Seeking specialized care is an important first step. The Eating Disorder Center offers compassionate, evidence-based treatment in a supportive environment. You don’t have to navigate this alone—help is available.
Therapy for binge eating disorder in Rockville, Maryland, Serving Potomac, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Montgomery County. Specializing in the treatment of binge eating disorder, in Annapolis, Chevy Chase, Germantown and Olney.
Therapy for binge eating disorder in Arlington, Virginia. Serving McLean, Vienna, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Leesburg, Purcellville, and Herndon. Specializing in the treatment of binge eating disorder.