Definition of "binge"

Hello, I see that word "binge" thrown around so much using different contexts....so I was just curious what yall concidered to be "binging"

What I concider binging is consuming a ton of calories at one sitting, and not just 500-1000..i mean like over 3000+  I guess I associate that word with purging, so a binge is always followed by a purge (but whatever....no im not bilemic, but I watch tv)

Ive seen people talking about "binging" because they ate like 200 cals too much (ok thats a little extreme, but yall get the point) or they had a handfull of potato chips (just an example)...to me thats not binging, thats acting "normal" and having an endulgence....

according to some..my 6 hot wings and a few chili cheese fries last night would be concidered a "binge"....I wouldnt call it that...I would call it going out with my bf and enjoying myself without fretting about calories...I try to get in my weekly meal of enjoyment

which is why I ask...what is yalls def. of binging...

The definition of a binge episode in the DSM-IV-TR (diagnostic criteria used to diagnose someone with a psychiatric disorder) is:
An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following: 

(1) eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat during a similar period of time and under similar circumstances 
(2) a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)

It does not mention a specific amount of calories for an episode to be considered a binge.

When I say I am in binge mode or that I had a binge, I mean it in a personal way. In other words, I consider a binge when I start to eat and for some reason I don't feel satisfied and I just keep eating, and eating... I end up eating in one sitting what I sometimes eat in a whole day. I consider that a binge (even if it may end up being "only" 700-1000 calories) because it is unusual and maladaptive for me. I also consider it a binge because I feel that second criteria... For those moments I know I shouldn't be eating that much, that I'm truly not hungry, but I feel out of control.

So I don't really go by the calories I ingest at all. Specially because sometimes my binge cravings are not necessarily for high caloric foods.

WEll I guess I am a binge eater based on that definition.  I kinda knew it.  I don't purge so I'm not bulemic but definately a binger.  I am so bad sometimes I catch myself falling asleep on the couch watching tv and eating handfuls of honey nut cheerios or Ritz Crakckers.

well I was just curious because I see that word thrown around so much for all different situations...

I get the emotional thing though....sometimes I want to eat something even if im stuffed (ex. popcorn at the movie theater last night....stupid popcorn...didnt get any though) but I think thats just because I like it so much hahaha

I personally think the main characteristic of an episode that makes it a binge is the sense of lack of control. Because there are people who will eat a lot and they are completely conscious about it. For example, when going out for dinner for a special occasion, sometimes we leave room for that one meal for the day. So we may eat a lot for one meal, but it was a conscious decision.

I'll call it a binge when I feel that I can't stop even if I want to.

I consider a binge to be eating any amount over 500 calories in less than 10 minutes. However Bulimia is not the only eating disorder that revolves around bingeing. Compulsive overeates binge on large amounts of food at a time but do not purge.

To me .......... binge means .......... the garbage can I emptied before I started ..is now Full of wrappers, and they are tuumbling out onto the floor .........and my gut HURTS ..... very badly....... I feel like crying , and my gut is ready to burst........... but I cannot stop eating..........I eat anything and everything . strange concoctions ......... and in a hurry . the little bit of ramen noodles my sister left on the stove get thrown into a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich. after I finish the bag of doritos and cake.and beef jerkey . and spaghetti and snickers bars...............thats a BINGE......... and it always includes feeling guilty.........shame..........and a certain amount of self hatred. It is not as casual as some people say ..........and it is more about the emotions than the food consumed.It is a total loss of control and logic . Not GOOD at all. Thank God He has helped me quit doing that to my body .And I pray He helps anyone else who does it .or is headed that way  to turn around and never do it ........... ( it's been 3 weeks and I'm not going back! )

I believe feathergirl has nailed the definition of a binge. It is an emotional thing and should be defined in emotional terms. I'm very proud of you for being three weeks removed from those horrors and wish you the best of luck.

well good for you feathergirl!

I think you nailed what my point was when you said "it is not as casual as some people say..." i completly agree...

waterphoenix and skyebudge ...... ty for being encourageing .........:D  And I am just thakfyl I havent binged in 3 weeks ... I hope I never do again . and hope the same for you two . and for everybody here ..........ttyl.....

PS...........I dont ever wanna sound preachy. but HONESTLY .the only thing that helps is having God . All that emotional need and craziness that drove my binges before ....... I now roll up into a ball . and put at His feet . Without faith .......... I would be binging now ..........Give God a try ...... He loves you ............ and He knows whats going on with each and every one of us .. and CARES. and the coolest part about getting help from Him is not having to talk about it in the open right off the bat ....... not until you are ready ...........and He helps with the whole process.........GBU

ya, that's preachy

It's not preachy to express how religion personally helps you.  God is definately a helpful way to lose weight.  I only wish I was spiritual enough to find God. 

But since religion is such a touchy subject, binging is sort of personal.  If your stomach hurts and you feel extremely guilty for eating so much - that's *your* binge.  It's not going to be in the medical journals, but you should find out why you binge and how to avoid binges.  Everyone binges once in a while.  But everyone really should always avoid binges, even on special occasions.  How can you enjoy food if your binging and you feel miserable afterwards?

This is a good topic... when I first joined this site and saw the word "binge" being used in titles of topics I avoided them thinking they were talking more about a serious eating disorder... and that kinda of worried and bothered me at the same time

but later found out that most people were refering to just slipping off the halthy cal. wagon..... and wanted to be able to relate which is totally understandable and human.

I had normally just associated the word with EDs

But sometimes you need to read the word in context I guess.

Im was bad...every chance I had to binge I took, I lost friends and time with my family just to binge...and sometimes, i would be like..no dont do it...and all the sudden I had eaten a full cake , large chips, and half way thru a box of cereal...and its like...bite bite swallow....no enjoyment, cant get it in fast enough..or enough of it!  And then you feel soo low about your self...its the worst...so hard to stop....I used to make plans to go out of town with family just so when they were ready, I would say i was working or sick...so I could be alone..just to do it freely..!! I would like buy up the whole store..and then have a field day...GOD! HOW EMBARASSING!  IM ASHAMED, cause I still think of it, even though Im  trying really hard to be good, I don t know if I havent because Im trying not to or cause there hasnt been oppertunity for me to do it!?

i think binge in most peoples cases is feeling out of control for them,and going over what thye should have had no matter what amount,i sometimes find myself rightly or wrongly getting a bit grr when people say they have binged when actually they have just had a little sometihng extra.

here is what a good friend of mine ate,this is a binge.2 buckets of large cinema sized sweet popcorn,bulk sized pack of chcicken drumsticks.1 chocolate gatueax from the birthday cake variety,three bowls of macoroni and cheese,then a purge,then 3 family sized bars of chocolates,3 pastries,a loaf of bread,a box of share sized truffles,and a plate of leftover chinese time two tris back to the fridge to fill up.this then resulted in her being rushed to hospital because she had ruptured her stomach.