Mental health
Medicines for Binge eating disorder
The most common eating disorder, with recurring episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food with a sense of loss of control and distress, but without the regular "purging" seen in bulimia; the first-line treatment is a guided self-help programme, then psychological therapy, with an SSRI helping some people — and it is a treatable condition, not a lack of willpower.
Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.
Quick answer
What is Binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder in which a person has recurring episodes of eating an unusually large amount of food in one go, with a sense of being unable to stop or control what or how much they eat. The episodes often happen quickly, sometimes in secret, and tend to be followed by feelings of distress, guilt, disgust or shame.
- How it is treated: Treatment focuses on helping the person regain a sense of control over eating and on tackling the distress that drives the binges, and most people can be helped in the community.
- Self-care: Recovery is supported by aiming for a regular, planned pattern of eating rather than skipping meals and then bingeing, noticing and finding other ways to handle the feelings or situations that trigger binges, being kind to yourself rather than getting caught in shame, staying connected and seeking support — including from a charity such as Beat — and looking after associated physical health.
- When to seek help: Speak to your GP if you regularly eat large amounts of food with a feeling of being out of control, often in secret, and feel distressed, guilty or ashamed afterwards — this is the most common eating disorder, it is not a lack of willpower, and it responds well to treatment.
What it is
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder in which a person has recurring episodes of eating an unusually large amount of food in one go, with a sense of being unable to stop or control what or how much they eat. The episodes often happen quickly, sometimes in secret, and tend to be followed by feelings of distress, guilt, disgust or shame. What sets it apart from bulimia nervosa is that the binges are not regularly followed by the compensatory behaviours — such as making yourself sick, using laxatives, fasting or excessive exercise — that aim to undo them. It is the most common eating disorder, affecting people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Because the binges are not "compensated for", binge eating disorder is often linked with weight gain and obesity, and frequently goes alongside low mood, anxiety and a great deal of shame. It is important to understand that it is a recognised mental health condition, not greed or a lack of willpower, and that it is treatable.
How it is treated
Treatment focuses on helping the person regain a sense of control over eating and on tackling the distress that drives the binges, and most people can be helped in the community. The recommended first step is a guided self-help programme designed for binge eating, in which a person follows a structured programme with support from a clinician. If guided self-help is not enough or is not suitable, the next step is a psychological therapy such as group or individual eating-disorder-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, which addresses both the eating behaviours and the thoughts and feelings that maintain them. Medication is not the main treatment, but an SSRI antidepressant may help some people, for example where there is also depression or where it can support the psychological work. Treatment also pays attention to associated physical health — including weight and conditions linked to it such as type 2 diabetes — and to linked mental health problems like low mood and anxiety. The emphasis throughout is that this is a treatable condition and that addressing the binge eating itself, rather than dieting alone, is what helps.
For this condition, these medicines
Medicine classes used for Binge eating disorder
Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.
Symptom checker
Symptoms that can point to Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:
Beyond medication
Lifestyle and self-care
Recovery is supported by aiming for a regular, planned pattern of eating rather than skipping meals and then bingeing, noticing and finding other ways to handle the feelings or situations that trigger binges, being kind to yourself rather than getting caught in shame, staying connected and seeking support — including from a charity such as Beat — and looking after associated physical health. Crash dieting tends to make binge eating worse, so changes are best made with professional guidance.
When to get help
When to see a doctor
Speak to your GP if you regularly eat large amounts of food with a feeling of being out of control, often in secret, and feel distressed, guilty or ashamed afterwards — this is the most common eating disorder, it is not a lack of willpower, and it responds well to treatment. It is worth seeking help early rather than waiting or trying to manage it through dieting alone, which can make things worse. Because binge eating disorder is often linked with weight gain, it is also a chance to look after associated physical health, such as the risk of type 2 diabetes. As with any mental health difficulty, get help straight away if low mood or distress become overwhelming or you have thoughts of harming yourself: call 999 or go to A&E if anyone is in immediate danger, call 111 for urgent advice, and the Samaritans are available day or night on 116 123. The eating-disorders charity Beat also runs helplines for support.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
Answers
Binge eating disorder: frequently asked questions
What medicines are used for binge eating disorder?
Medication is not the main treatment for binge eating disorder — the recommended starting point is a guided self-help programme, followed if needed by a psychological therapy such as eating-disorder-focused cognitive behavioural therapy. Where medicine is used, an SSRI antidepressant may help some people, for instance when there is also depression, and it is generally used alongside the psychological work rather than on its own. Whether an SSRI is suitable for you is a decision to make with your doctor, who will review how it is helping over time. The main focus stays on addressing the binge eating itself.
How is binge eating disorder different from bulimia?
Both involve recurring episodes of binge eating with a sense of loss of control, but the key difference is what happens afterwards. In bulimia nervosa, binges are regularly followed by compensatory behaviours meant to undo them — such as making yourself sick, using laxatives, fasting or over-exercising. In binge eating disorder, these regular purging behaviours are not present, so the binges are not "compensated for". This is one reason binge eating disorder is often linked with weight gain. Both are serious, recognised eating disorders, and both are treatable with the right support.
Is binge eating disorder a lack of willpower?
No. Binge eating disorder is a recognised mental health condition, not greed, weakness or a lack of willpower. The binges involve a genuine sense of being unable to stop, and they are usually tied up with difficult feelings and a great deal of shame. Blaming yourself or trying to "diet harder" tends to make things worse rather than better. The most helpful step is to treat the disorder itself with proper support — guided self-help, psychological therapy and, where appropriate, medication — which gives many people back a sense of control over their eating.
What treatment works best for binge eating disorder?
The recommended first step is a guided self-help programme designed for binge eating, where you follow a structured programme with support from a clinician. If that is not enough or not suitable, a psychological therapy such as group or individual eating-disorder-focused cognitive behavioural therapy is the next step, addressing both the eating behaviours and the thoughts and feelings behind them. An SSRI may help some people alongside this. Treatment also looks after associated physical health, such as weight and the risk of type 2 diabetes, and any linked low mood or anxiety. Tackling the binge eating directly, rather than dieting alone, is what helps most.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE NG69.
- Beat (eating disorders charity).
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