I know there are many people (myself included) who sometimes overeat. I think everyone is guilty of this from time to time (think Thanksgiving). However, for many people, overeating is common due to many factors, one of which is depression. Binge eating on a regular basis is actually a disorder that can have long-term negative effects on your health. People who overeat feel a compulsion to do this and cannot resist the urges. Binge eating is actually the most common eating disorder out there. To give you an example of binge eating compared to regular eating, take a look at this:

A normal diet consists of 1,500 to 3,000 calories per day; a binge diet can consist of 10,000-20,000 calories per day.

Unless you exercise as much as Michael Phelps, you shouldn’t be consuming anywhere near 10,000 calories a day. Eating this many calories a day can cause you to gain weight extremely fast, which can seriously damage your organs, especially your heart. Binge-eating usually doesn’t last all day. Actually, they usually last about 2 hours. But just take a look at how many calories you can consume on a typical binge day. Here are some behavioral and emotional signs and symptoms of bingeing:

Eating large amounts of food.

Eat even when you’re full

Eating quickly during binge episodes

Feeling like your eating behavior is out of control.

Depression

Anxiety

Frequent diet without weight loss

Eat alone frequently

Food hoarding

Hide empty food containers

Feeling depressed, upset, or upset about your eating.

No one knows exactly what causes binge eating disorder, but some factors include:

Biological. Biological vulnerability may play a role in the development of binge eating disorder. Both genes and chemicals in the brain may be involved. Additionally, researchers are studying the central nervous system’s appetite regulation for clues, along with gastrointestinal changes that could shed light on the causes.

Psychological. Psychological and emotional characteristics can also contribute to the condition. You may have low self-esteem and trouble controlling impulsive behaviors, controlling moods, or expressing anger.

Sociocultural. Modern Western culture often cultivates and reinforces the desire for thinness. Although most people with binge eating disorder are overweight, they are very conscious of their body shape and appearance and scold themselves after bingeing. Some people with binge eating disorder have a history of sexual abuse. If you are binge-eating and find that you can’t control it, I highly recommend that you seek medical attention. This can lead to serious health problems if left untreated, including high blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, anxiety, heart disease, stroke, and many other conditions.