Anxiety disorders are characterized by features of excessive fear and anxiety, as well as related behavioral disturbances. These symptoms are often not temporary and linger beyond typical expectations. Excessiveness of these symptoms is clinician diagnosed with cultural contexts taken into consideration.

Anxiety Disorders

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by a persistent and relatively continuous state of excessive, uncontrollable, and often pointless worry and apprehension. Individuals with this disorder typically worry about routine, everyday matters, such as health, finances, or the safety of family members, without any justified reason. For a diagnosis, this diffuse worrying must occur more days than not for a period of at least six months, not be attributable to another disorder, and be accompanied by at least three of the following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep difficulties.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A disorder that results from experiencing or witnessing something that makes one feel afraid, terrified, or powerless and makes them think that their life, bodily integrity, or safety are in danger. It manifests as painful and intrusive memories of the stressful event, jitteriness, ongoing negative emotional states, social distancing, violent outbursts, and avoiding reminders of the incident.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

59% of BED patients suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder. More specifically, 33% meet diagnostic criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, while 32% meet diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Kalamazoo College

An estimated 94% of BED patients also have at least one other comorbid psychiatric condition, and nearly 23% of BED patients have attempted suicide. Some mental illnesses seem to be most common among patients:

- Mood disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Personality/conduct disorders

Binge Eating Disorder Comorbid Psychiatric Conditions

Nitsch, A., Dlugosz, H., Gibson, D., & Mehler, P. S. (2021). Medical complications of bulimia nervosa. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 88(6), 333-343.

Medical Complications of Bulimia Nervosa

Substance use disorders are the second most common comorbid psychiatric condition among BED patients, with 68% suffering from at least one substance use disorder. Alcohol use disorder is most prevalent, affecting 52% of BED patients, followed by nicotine use disorder (40.2%) and other drug use disorders (24.7%). 

Substance Use Disorders in Binge Eating Disorder Patients

An estimated 56% of BED patients meet diagnostic criteria for at least one personality disorder or conduct disorder. Most commonly, borderline personality disorder appears as a comorbid psychiatric among 49.2% of patients.

Personality/Conduct Disorders in Binge Eating Disorder Patients

Anxiety Disorders in Binge Eating Disorder Patients

Mood disorders are the most common comorbid psychiatric condition among BED patients, affecting approximately 70% of them. The vast majority of these cases (69.9%) arise from major depressive disorder.

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