Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) are both eating disorders, but they differ in several key ways:
Nature of bingeing: In BED, individuals engage in frequent episodes of binge eating, characterized by consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time, feeling a lack of control over eating during the episode, and feeling embarrassed or ashamed about the binge afterwards. In BN, individuals also engage in binge eating, but they typically also engage in purging behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or diuretic abuse, fasting, or excessive exercise to get rid of the calories consumed during the binge.
Frequency of bingeing: BED is characterized by binge eating at least once a week for three months, while in BN binge eating occurs at least once a week for three months, and the purging behaviors occur at least twice a week for three months.
Body weight: Individuals with BED often have a higher body weight compared to individuals with BN, although not all individuals with BED are overweight or obese.
Impact on daily life: Both BED and BN can have significant impact on a person's daily life and well-being, but BN typically involves more severe physical and psychological symptoms, such as electrolyte imbalances and depression, due to the purging behaviors.
It is important to note that both BED and BN are serious conditions that can have long-lasting negative consequences if left untreated. Individuals who think they may be experiencing symptoms of either condition should seek professional help from a mental health provider or eating disorder specialist.