Binge Eating
Binge eating is an eating disorder caused by a person being unable to control the need to overeat.
Binge eating episodes are not followed by purging, excessive exercise or fasting, so people who binge eat usually are overweight or obese. They also experience guilt, shame and/or distress about their binge eating, which can lead to more binge eating, and they often have coexisting psychological illnesses including anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
Treatment using fluoxetine and other antidepressants may reduce binge eating episodes and help alleviate depression in some people. Appetite suppressants also may be prescribed. Psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is also used to treat the underlying psychological issues associated with binge eating, in an individual or group environment.