Precisely defining binge eating can be problematic, however binge eating episodes in BED are generally described as having the following potential features:

Eating much faster than normal, perhaps in a short space of time
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
Eating a large amount when not hungry
Subjective loss of control over how much or what is eaten
Binges may be planned in advance, involving the purchase of special binge foods, and the allocation of specific time for binging, sometimes at night
Eating alone or secretly due to embarrassment over the amount of food consumed
There may be a dazed mental state during the binge
Not being able to remember what was eaten after the binge
Feelings of guilt, shame or disgust following a food binge
Body image disturbanceIn contrast to bulimia nervosa, binge eating episodes are not regularly followed by activities intended to compensate for the amount of food consumed, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative or enema misuse, or strenuous exercise. BED is characterized more by overeating than dietary restriction. Those with BED often have poor body image and frequently diet, but are unsuccessful due to the severity of their binge eating.Obesity is common in persons with BED, as is depression, low self-esteem, stress and boredom. Those with BED are also at risk of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, menstrual irregularities such as amenorrhea, and gastrointestinal problems such as acid reflux and heartburn. Causes
As with other eating disorders, binge eating is an "expressive disorder"—a disorder that is an expression of deeper psychological problems.
While binge eaters are often believed to be lacking in self-control, the root of such behavior might instead be linked to rigid dieting practices. The relationship between strict dieting and binge eating is characterized by a vicious circle. Binge eating is more likely to occur after dieting, and vice versa. Several forms of dieting include delay in eating (e.g., not eating during the day), restriction of overall calorie intake (e.g., setting calorie limit to 1,000 calories per day), and avoidance of certain types of food (e.g., "forbidden" food, such as sugar, carbohydrates, etc.) Strict and extreme dieting differs from ordinary dieting. Some evidence suggests the effectiveness of moderate calorie restriction in decreasing binge eating episodes among overweight individuals with binge eating disorder, at least in the short-term. "In the U.S, it is estimated that 3.5% of young women and 30% to 40% of people who seek weight loss treatments, can be clinically diagnosed with binge eating disorder." Diagnosis
International Classification of Diseases
BED was first included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1994 simply as a feature of eating disorder. In 2013 it gained formal recognition as a psychiatric condition in the DSM-5.The 2017 update to the American version of the ICD-10 includes BED under F50.81. ICD-11 may contain a dedicated entry (6B62), defining BED as frequent, recurrent episodes of binge eating (once a week or more over a period of several months) which are not regularly followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors aimed at preventing weight gain.