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A five-year study by McLean Hospital found that binge-eating disorder persists longer than previously thought, with significant percentages of individuals still affected after 2.5 and 5 years. This challenges earlier research suggesting quicker remission and highlights the importance of continued intervention and improved treatment strategies.

McLean Hospital researchers show that binge-eating disorder lasts longer than expected and relapse is common, with many still affected years after diagnosis. In the United States, binge-eating disorder is the most prevalent eating disorder. However, previous studies have presented conflicting views of the disorder’s duration and the likelihood of relapse.



A new five-year study led by investigators from McLean Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, revealed that 61% of individuals continued to experience symptoms of binge-eating disorder 2.5 years after being diagnosed, and 45% still exhibited symptoms after five years. These findings challenge earlier prospective studies that suggested quicker recovery times, the researchers noted.

Key Findings and Implications “The big takeaway is that binge-eating disorder does improve with time, but for many people it lasts years,” said first author Kristin Javaras, DPhil, PhD, assistant psychologist in the Division of Women’s Mental Health at McLean. “As a clinician, oftentimes the clients I work with report many, many years of binge-eating disorder, which felt very .

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