Do I Have Binge Eating Disorder? Online Quiz

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious and potentially dangerous condition that can have severe consequences on physical, emotional, and mental health. It’s important to seek out appropriate care if you or a loved one are struggling with this or any eating disorder.

Still, eating disorders can be challenging to spot, even in yourself. If you’re concerned about your eating behaviors, taking a “Do I have binge eating disorder?” quiz may help you clarify the severity of your behavior and whether you should seek out further help.

sticky note with question mark

How Accurate is a Binge Eating Disorder Quiz?

How accurate a binge eating disorder test is depends on many factors. But the one you have the most control over is how you answer. Answering questions honestly, even if it’s not the answer that makes you feel the best, is an important way to ensure results are as close to the truth as possible.

The integrity of the quiz itself is also important. Taking a quiz from a trustworthy source is an excellent way to ensure your results are accurate.

That said, this “Do I have binge eating disorder?” quiz is in no way meant to replace a medical assessment or consultation. If you or a loved one are struggling with disordered eating behaviors or thoughts, the most important thing you can do is speak to a medical professional about your concerns, regardless of what an online quiz might say.

Do You Have Binge Eating Disorder? Take This Online Quiz

Take this quiz to help you decide whether or not you need to seek professional advice or treatment for binge eating disorder.

Answer some general questions about how you feel about food, your current eating habits, how you feel after you eat, and other indicators of binge eating disorder.

NOTE: This quiz is for general informational purposes only and does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical advice. The quiz is not an attempt to practice medicine and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, talk to your healthcare provider and follow their advice regardless of any result you have obtained on this quiz. The quiz does not establish a doctor-patient relationship.

Eating Disorder Hope makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the quiz and expressly disclaims any liability in connection therewith.

I think about food constantly

I eat in secret.

I lie to others about how much I eat.

It is difficult for me to concentrate because I am thinking about food.

I often eat until I’m uncomfortably full or feel sick to the stomach afterward.

I eat a lot even when I don’t feel hungry.

Eating helps me deal with stress, anxiety, sadness, or other emotions.

I skip meals during the day and eat one big meal at night.

I feel guilty after eating.

I keep food in places most others do not (e.g., in the bedroom).

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What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder is one of the newest additions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the official list of all medically recognized mental health conditions, but it’s already considered the most common eating disorder in the United States. [1]

The condition involves eating large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time, called a binging episode. The definition of what constitutes a binge is very loose, referring to a “discrete” period of time—usually considered two hours—during which someone eats an amount of food that’s “definitely larger” than most people would in the same period. [2]

More specifically, to qualify as part of BED, binging episodes must also involve a loss of control over how much or what is eaten and be characterized by at least three of the following: [2]

  • Eating more rapidly than normal
  • Eating despite not feeling physically hungry
  • Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
  • Feelings of disgust or guilt about how much or what was eaten
  • Eating alone out of embarrassment of eating behavior

These episodes must occur at least one day a week over the course of three months to be considered part of BED. [2]

How Do I Know if I Have Binge Eating Disorder?

It might be difficult to tell if you have binge eating disorder.

If you feel you fit the above symptoms, you may be struggling with the condition. In this case, it’s important to follow up with a mental health professional to see if they can offer further assistance or recommendations.

You may also not experience binge eating episodes as frequently as once a week, but be starting to feel your eating behavior get out of control. Or you may regularly turn to food in the face of strong emotional reactions.

Another common aspect of BED and nearly all eating disorders is issues around self-esteem and body image. [3] If you’re experiencing these issues alongside challenging eating behavior, you may be struggling with a deeper problem.

Taking a “Do I have binge eating disorder?” quiz can help you sort out if the behaviors or thoughts you’re experiencing are problematic and if you should seek out help.

yes or no on sticky note

Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms

Aside from the qualities that define binge eating disorder, the condition is marked by various symptoms. Some of the most common binge eating symptoms and risk factors include: [4]

  • Stealing or hoarding food
  • Hiding the evidence of eating (e.g., stashing wrappers)
  • Frequently skipping meals or eating smaller portions throughout the day
  • Frequent dieting, fasting, or other attempts to control weight
  • Noticeable fluctuations in weight
  • Social isolation or withdrawal
  • Extreme concern over body shape, weight, or body image
  • Stomach cramps or gastrointestinal issues

Binge eating disorder also frequently co-occurs with other mental health conditions, including: [4]

  • Anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Substance use disorders
  • Depression and other mood disorders

What to Do if You Have Binge Eating Disorder?

If you worry that you or a loved one will develop binge eating disorder or are already struggling with the condition, it’s important to seek out help. Eating disorders can become dangerous and even deadly if not treated appropriately.

Speaking with a professional is crucial. Your primary care physician or therapist, if you have one, will both likely be knowledgeable about eating disorders in general and may be able to help you understand more about the condition or learn more about helpful treatment programs.

A physician or therapist can also help you secure a binge eating disorder diagnosis. For those seeking treatment, this is often an essential step toward having any treatment covered by insurance or getting into many treatment programs to begin with.

But the important thing to remember is that binge eating recovery is possible. If you seek the care you need, you can help curb these harmful thoughts and behaviors and help yourself feel better and more stable in the present and future.

Resources

  1. Binge eating disorder. (n.d.). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed February 2024.
  2. Berkman ND, Brownley KA, Peat CM. (2015). DSM-IV and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for binge-eating disorder. Comparative Effectiveness Reviews, 160.
  3. Mallaram G, Sharma P, Kattula D, Singh S, Pavuluru P. (2023). Body image perception, eating disorder behavior, self-esteem and quality of life: a cross-sectional study among female medical students. Journal of Eating Disorders, 11(225).
  4. Binge eating disorder. (n.d.). National Eating Disorders Association. Accessed February 2024.