Similarities between BED and Substance Dependence

• Diminished control over consumption
• Continued use despite negative consequences
• Diminished ability to cut down or abstain from problematic substance
• Elevated levels of impulsivity
• Elevated comorbidity with mood/anxiety disorders
• Triggered by cravings and negative affect
• Similar patterns of neural activations

Differences between BED and Substance Dependence

• BED is associated with elevated concerns with shape or weight, but substance dependence is not
• BED diagnosis specifies that consumption must occur during a discrete period of time, but substance dependence does not
• Substance dependence diagnosis assesses withdrawal, tolerance, amount of time spent on substance-focused activities and activities given up due to substance use, but BED does not
• Substance dependence diagnosis places a greater emphasis on the contribution of the substance (e.g., addictive potential of substances), BED diagnosis does not consider specific types or properties of food consumed (merely the amount)
• Substance dependence treatments typically focus on abstaining from the problematic substance, but BED treatments do not