Is it possible to have a binge eating disorder but still be skinny?
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Last Updated: 11/04/2020 at 12:26am



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Top Rated Answers
Of course! Binge eating is when you eat excessively, but you can still be skinny depending on numerous factors such as your genetics or having a fast metabolism.
This is definitely possible! Eating disorders affect people in different ways. Some people have very fast motabalisms and so even if they have a bing eating disorder, their body remains skinny.
It's absolutely possible! Binge Eating Disorder is characterized by behaviors, NOT weight or body size. Binge Eating Disorder is described as eating more in a given period of time to the point of feeling uncomfortable and even sick. Eating "more" can be compared to other individuals or the time/place in which the episode occurred. For example, eating a little more than usual at holidays (such as Christmas) would not be that out of the ordinary, since most people tend to eat more at some holidays. However, eating to the point of feeling ill and sick daily or even just a few times a week, could be indicative of a problem.
Yes. People are able to have any eating disorder, no matter what their body type is. That's why you can never assume someone has, or doesn't have an eating disorder. If you have an eating disorder, please, go see a doctor, and a therapist for specialized help.
A lot of times, no. One of my friends had B.E.D but was thin, The reason being it wasn't B.E.D anymore, She was exercising constantly, and that made it into a form of bulimia.
Absolutely. You can be anorexic and overweight, binge and be underweight, etc. You can be any weight and have any eating disorder. It sometimes seems that we forget it's a mental illness that can sometimes affect you physically. No matter what, you still deserve help!
According to helpguide.org, Binge eating disorder is a common eating disorder characterized by three key features:
Frequent episodes of uncontrollable binge eating
Feeling extremely distressed or upset during or after bingeing
Unlike bulimia, there are no regular attempts to “make up” for the binges through vomiting, fasting, or over-exercising
Now, with that being said, I have known people who have had binge-eating disorders with incredibly fast metabolisms, which kept them "skinny", but others who would gain weight as well. If you believe you may have a binge-eating disorder, I highly recommend speaking to someone and the 7cups family will always be here to listen!
Absolutely! Binge eating can happen to anyone of any size. Binging is when someone cannot stop themselves from consuming massive and harmful amounts of food at once. It is also possible to be a binge eater and anorexic. The two are not mutually exclusive.
it is! yeah, when no matter what you eat you are still not getting fat, it's just the fact that you have a fast metabolism and it keeps you skinny. your organism deals with food extremely well
Let's start with the definition.
"Binge-eating disorder is a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating."
Just that much, nothing out of that definition! Being skinny, overweight, or with a normal body size doesn't explain if you are eating healthy; are anorexic; struggling with BED, or going through bulimia nervosa. Now, you would ask me, if the weight doesn't define my ED, then what does?
To be general, anxiety. Ever heard about coping mechanisms? Acts we do in order to cut ourselves off from our insecurities and worries? Now, I think you are already getting there. Having an ED is waayyyyyyy lesser about your body, then it is about your anxiety. It is a method to cope, just a rather unhealthy one. Now that you know, it is anxiety that gives us ED, there is another question. Who suffers from anxiety?
In one word, EVERYONE! Each one of us has been anxious at one point in our lives or the other. So, this alone proves that whatever gender, body size, race, country, or surroundings we are in, everyone has a logical reason to get an ED. And that reason is ANXIETY!
In order to search for better coping mechanisms, we need to go through a recovery process. Because the ED voice is stronger than our own. And it's not a person screaming stereotype phrases "Just eat more!" or "It's all in the head!" that is going to change the BS we are cooking in our head, it's a combination of the concrete recovery process, and a stern will power to fight.
EDs are tough, messy, filthy, and devastating. And as you all have moved this far, I know you can all do it!!!
Yes, it is possible. By definition, binge eating means "compulsion of overeating within a period of time". By that, a person could have binge eating for this week and not eating over the new few weeks. Furthermore, we can't rule out genetic factor affecting one's physical weight.
Yes, people have different metabolic rates, some people burn off more calories without doing anything.
Yes! it is possible indeed. It is true that the majority of people dealing with binge eating disorder are overweight BUT that doesn't mean a skinny person can't have a binge eating disorder. There can be many reasons why you are skinny even when you have a BED, like, your metabolism is fast or you swing back and forth between anorexia and binge eating disorder or you have cycles where you eat a lot and then you don't eat. Eating disorders are complicated but usually, you don't need to look a certain way to be able to have one.
Exactly! Binge eating doesn't affect a race, culture, sexual preference, gender, or size. It can affect anyone and everyone just like cancer because it is not biased.
Anonymous
July 16th, 2016 3:36am
Yes- binge eating disorder does not have a weight criterion like you may find with other disorders. You can be any weight and struggle with binge eating.
Anonymous
July 20th, 2016 10:05am
Yes, it most definitely is. An eating disorder is all about how you see yourself. You could be a stick figure, model thin girl and still see yourself as overweight and turn to bingeing or anorexia.
Definitely. Some people with extremely fast metabolisms binge eat and remain thin because their body simply works that way.
Yes, anyone can have any type of eating disorder you don't have to be a certain size, race and/or age. We all can get them.
Of course it is possible. Eating disorders do not have a certain size. Eating disorders are defined by a way of thinking and eating habits. Your size does not invalidate your disorder.
It is possible to have binge eating disorder and still be skinny. You could have a very great metabolism, be very active, or not have had the disorder for long.
Anonymous
August 3rd, 2016 10:26pm
Yes, I am living proof of this! It depends all on what metabolism you have or even if you work out after binge eating.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2016 10:40am
Yes, it is very possible, since you will likely try to get rid of the food or exercise a lot to get it all out.
yes, weight has nothing to do with anything. your behaviours are often what fit a diagnosis criteria for certain types of disorders. Definitely talk to a professional though, and see if this applies to you. i obviously don't know your habits or behaviours but i do know that it is possible to have a binge eating disorder and still be skinny because every BODY is different
Anonymous
August 17th, 2016 10:31pm
It is very possible. I have multiple eating disorders and I have the same issue. it can do sometimes with metabolism.
Yes. Absolutely. Eating disorders are not only about how much someone weighs. Of course, Anorexia for example is only diagnosed within underweight people but other eating disorders such as Bulimia, BED or EDNOS do not always stand in relation to the person's weight or physical appearance.
Absolutely. Its a common misconception that everyone with an eating disorder has the same body type. Bulimics can be heavier-built and binge-eaters can be very skinny. It's not about your body type but about your relationship with food. If you suspect you or someone you know has a binge-eating disorder it;s important to get help, even if they don't 'look' sick.
I'm sure a fast metabolism would make this possible, but you must remember everyone is different in these circumstances
Anonymous
September 7th, 2016 1:54am
I wouldn't think it would be common but if you mean binges every so often in combination with another eating disorder then maybe.
I believe that it is possible. Instead of binging on that tub of cookie dough ice cream, binge on some celery sticks or carrots.
Absolutely. Binge eating disorder may manifest itself differently in every sufferer. It is possible that some binge eaters will restrict their diets on other days. This may mean that, overall, this person takes in a normal/lower than normal calorific intake leading to undernourishment and low weight/weight loss.
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