As the holidays draw near, eating more can be normal—but a doctor says these symptoms may signal it's time to seek help.
About the experts
Catherine Ruscitti, PsyD, CEDSC, is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified eating disorder specialist, and executive director at Eating Recovery Center of Houston in Texas. One of her specialities includes treatment interventions for binge eating disorders. She is also the author of The Anorexia Recovery Skills Workbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Cope with Difficult Emotions, Embrace Self-Acceptance, and Prevent Relapse.
Highlights
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S., yet it often goes unrecognized.
An eating disorder expert explains the key symptoms that can help you tell the difference between overeating and something more.
Emotional triggers such as stress, shame, and dieting can all play a role.
With the right professional support, recovery and a healthy relationship with food are entirely possible.
As Thanksgiving approaches, food often becomes the focus—favorite family dishes, second helpings, and cozy moments shared around the table. Eating more than usual during the holidays can be normal.
That said—especially given the added pressures of the season—episodes of eating large amounts of food can happen more frequently, feel difficult to control, or come with feelings of distress. These patterns may be early binge eating symptoms, and noticing them can be an important first step toward understanding your relationship with food.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting nearly 3% of the population. It tends to occur more often in women than men, though anyone can experience it, and in many cases it begins in our early years.
“Most people overeat or eat past fullness occasionally, particularly in moments of high emotion, stress, or boredom, or during celebrations like holidays,” explains Catherine Ruscitti, PsyD, CEDSC, executive director at Eating Recovery Center of Houston in Texas.
Dr. Ruscitti notes that for most people, these moments don’t become a regular pattern, aren’t filled with shame or embarrassment, and don’t interfere with daily life. “Binge eating disorder, on the other hand, is compulsive in nature, and those who struggle with it feel out of control during times of overeating or bingeing,” she says.
What factors can contribute to binge eating?
“Binge eating disorder is a complex illness that involves a combination of factors, including genetic, biological, social, emotional, and psychological influences,” says Dr. Ruscitti. The reasons a person develops binge eating disorder vary widely, and no single cause tells the whole story.
She says some of the most common emotional and psychological factors that can contribute to the onset or continuation of binge eating include:
Difficulty managing emotions such as stress, anxiety, depression, boredom, or anger
Low self-esteem or persistent feelings of shame
Perfectionism, which can create unrealistic expectations and self-criticism
Negative body image or internalized weight bias
Past experiences with bullying, especially those related to weight or appearance
History of trauma, which can influence coping patterns around food and emotions
Restrictive dieting or labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” which disrupts hunger cues and may intensify urges to binge
Ahead, Dr. Ruscitti shares the binge eating symptoms to watch for, the emotional factors that can contribute, and how to take the first steps toward getting professional support.
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Binge eating symptoms to be aware of, according to an expert
Episodes that happen regularly
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“Someone with binge eating disorder typically engages in binge eating once or more per week for three months or more,” explains Dr. Ruscitti. They also experience “significant and ongoing distress, shame, and regret.”
Dr. Ruscitti says the difference lies in pattern and control. Occasional overeating tends to be situational—it might happen at a party or after a stressful day—but it doesn’t become routine. Binge eating, however, is marked by a feeling of being out of control during these moments. When this behavior turns into a recurring cycle that affects your emotional well-being, physical comfort, or self-esteem, it’s important to reach out to a qualified professional for support.
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Eating large amounts of food in one sitting
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“During a binge, individuals will often eat large amounts of food despite not being physically hungry,” says Dr. Ruscitti.
This is an important distinction because binge eating isn’t driven by appetite—it’s fueled by something deeper, such as stress, emotional discomfort, or a sense of losing control.
People often describe feeling compelled to keep eating even when their body is signaling fullness. The binge eating episode may feel like you’re on autopilot. While it can eventually lead to shame and disappointment, recognizing the behavior is a first step toward understanding what’s really going on.
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Continuing to eat, despite feeling full
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Most of us have eaten past the point of fullness—maybe to enjoy a few extra bites of dessert or finish what’s on our plate. But with this binge eating symptom, the experience goes beyond that.
Individuals may eat “well beyond feeling full…to the point of intense discomfort,” explains Dr. Ruscitti. This means that eating can feel difficult to stop, even when the body is clearly signaling that it’s had enough.
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Eating quickly
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Another key binge eating symptom, says Dr. Ruscitti, is eating much more rapidly than normal. While it’s too common in our culture to rush through a meal when we’re busy, this is different.
In these moments, eating can feel dissociated or disconnected, with little awareness of taste or fullness cues. The bag, box, or carton might suddenly seem way emptier without having consciously observed the amount of food you consumed along the way.
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Eating in private, followed by feelings of guilt or distress
It’s completely normal to eat alone at times, whether it’s during a busy workday or a quiet evening at home. However, one of the more emotional binge eating symptoms occurs when eating solo then becomes linked to subsequent (or simultaneous) feelings of shame or embarrassment.
Dr. Ruscitti explains that binge episodes often take place when someone is alone because they feel upset about how much they are eating. These moments are frequently followed by feelings of guilt, disgust, or depression.
This combination of secrecy and stress can make it even harder to reach out for help. Understanding that these emotions are part of the disorder, not a reflection of who you are, is a vital step toward healing.
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What to do if you think you have binge eating disorder
Dr. Ruscitti says binge eating disorder is “not about willpower or choice, and most people require treatment to fully recover.”
Although binge eating disorder is more common than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa combined, it often goes unrecognized or misunderstood. This lack of awareness can make it harder for people to seek the help they need. “Therefore,” Dr. Ruscitti says, “it is important to seek out providers who specialize in eating disorder treatment to help you explore and understand your concerns around eating and to receive an accurate diagnosis and evidence-based treatment.”
If you notice several of these binge eating symptoms in your own life, try to approach them with curiosity rather than judgment. Support and treatment are available, and recovery is entirely possible.
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Treatment for binge eating disorder
Once you’ve taken that first step of reaching out for help, understanding what treatment involves can make recovery feel less overwhelming. “Treatment for binge eating disorder is ideally multidisciplinary,” explains Dr. Ruscitti.
This type of care often brings together several forms of support, including:
Therapy with a licensed mental health professional
Psychiatric support for medication management when appropriate
Clinicians frequently incorporate evidence-based therapies to help address both the emotional and behavioral sides of binge eating disorder, such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps reframe unhelpful thoughts about food, body image, and self-worth.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Builds skills for managing emotions and reducing stress without turning to food.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Promotes mindfulness and self-compassion, helping people tolerate difficult feelings without judgment.
Exposure Therapy: Gradually lessens fear or anxiety around certain foods or eating situations in a safe, supportive setting.
Treatment can range from weekly outpatient sessions to structured programs at specialized centers that provide care several days a week. The main goal, Dr. Ruscitti says, is to identify emotional triggers, strengthen coping skills, and establish consistent, mindful eating patterns that reduce shame and restore balance—helping individuals build a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food and themselves.
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