What distinguishes Binge-Eating Disorder from Bulimia Nervosa?

Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) is distinguished from Bulimia Nervosa primarily through the absence of compensatory behaviors following binge episodes. In Binge-Eating Disorder, individuals engage in recurrent episodes of binge eating, where they consume an unusually large amount of food in a discrete period while feeling a lack of control during the episodes. However, unlike Bulimia Nervosa, they do not regularly employ purging behaviors, such as vomiting, misuse of laxatives, or excessive exercise, to compensate for their binge eating.

This distinction is critical in the DSM-5-TR as it guides diagnosis and treatment approaches. Understanding the lack of compensatory behaviors in Binge-Eating Disorder emphasizes that people suffering from it may experience significant distress, often leading to weight gain and emotional difficulties, but do not engage in the purging that characterizes Bulimia Nervosa. Hence, this lack of compensatory behavior is a defining feature that helps differentiate between these two eating disorders and informs the treatment and management strategies that are most appropriate for individuals.