Is it possible to have a binge eating disorder but still be skinny?

Yes, it is possible to have a binge eating disorder and still be skinny. Binge eating involves consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time based on the description from Psychology Today. You can also have disordered eating that doesn't meet the criteria for a specific diagnosis. Disorder eating includes any unhealthy eating habit. If you feel you or someone you know may be struggling with binge eating, I recommend reaching out to a medical professional or mental health professional to discuss these concerns. Struggling with eating doesn't mean anything is wrong with you it just means you need some extra support developing a relationship to food that is healthy for you.

Eating disorders don't come in a one size fits all. Those with anorexia can be overweight and those with bulimia may not always be hunched over a toilet. It is very possible for those with BED to be skinny and/or underweight. BED is defined as overeating or eating more calories than one would consider "normal" in one sitting. Oftentimes, after a binge one will feel guilty and promise themselves that they will do better the next day. Some people eat in secret because they don't want others to know how much they are eating. In any regard, eating disorders don't come with specific look and it is a very common stigma to place weight on certain eating disorders. But anybody can have an eating disorder, even those who don't look like they could have one

binge eating is not defined by your weight, but by your eating habits. your looks and body type do not completely reflect on your health and disorders. some people have different genetics, faster metabolism, etc. not to mention, “skinny” is a subjective term. what may be skinny to someone may not be skinny to someone else. that’s why we have to be so careful to not assume something about someone’s health when looking at them :) binge eating is when you eat to an extent where you feel extremely full, or you eat continuously when not hungry. you may feel like you can’t stop eating, or feel guilty/grossed out after eating. if this sounds like you, please reach out for help! and remember that your looks have nothing to do with it

It is possible, eating disorders are valid no matter your body size. According to DSM-5 the criteria for being diagnosed with binge eating disorder are a)recurrent episodes of binge eating at least once weekly for 3 months b)Eating an unusually large amount of food during a discrete time frame (2-hour period) c) A sense of lack of control over the eating during the specific episode (feeling unable to stop eating or control what or how much you are eating) Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge eating is not associated with inappropriate weight compensatory behaviors, such as purging. If you notice you have any of the above, you should contact a professional to seek help and support.

Yes, it is. Binge eating isn't defined by how many calories you consume/burn in a period of time but the fact that you eat a lot in a small period of time, to the point that you are hungry but can't stop. If you eat a big amount of food and in the end you feel guilty about it or you feel like you have lost control over yourself, then that's binge eating. I hope that I explained it well enough and I hope that things better for you. I have been in a similar position and I would urge you to think of when your unhealthy relationship with food started and if it is the way you cope now, even if it is something else I know that you can overcome it.

Yes - eating disorders have no specific look or weight, and anyone can be diagnosed with binge eating disorder regardless of weight. Weight will depend on many factors such as genetics, frequency of binges, size of binges, and other lifestyle factors. If you're struggling with binge eating, it's usually recommended to talk to your GP, but sometimes people prefer to contact charities or voluntary organisations. One such charity is Beat, who also run a specific online support group for people suffering from binge eating disorder. They have many helpful resources on their website which you can find here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/about-eating-disorders/types/binge-eating-disorder/