Night eating syndrome (NES) is an eating disorder that occurs along with frequent sleep interruptions. People with NES feel like they won’t be able to get back to sleep without eating. They may wake up several times in one night, and may feel ashamed or depressed. Providers treat NES with a combination of antidepressant medications and therapy.
Night eating syndrome (NES) is an eating disorder that occurs along with interrupted sleep (insomnia). NES causes people to wake up during the night to eat, usually several times throughout the night. Untreated, NES makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. It also increases the risk of health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure.
If you have NES, you may feel like you won’t be able to fall asleep if you don’t eat. You might feel as if you have no control over your urge to eat in the middle of the night. Many people with NES also have depression or anxiety that is often worse at night.
To help people with NES, healthcare providers usually recommend a combination of treatments. These include antidepressant medications, cognitive behavioral therapy and techniques to correct the sleeping and eating cycle.
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About one in 100 people have NES. Night eating syndrome is more common among people who:
What is the difference between NES and sleep-related eating disorder (SRED)?
NES is not a type of sleepwalking or other abnormal sleep behavior (parasomnia). It’s different from sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) because people who have NES are fully awake while eating.
People with NES remember waking and eating during the night. But people with SRED eat while they’re asleep and have no memory of it the next day.
Symptoms of NES usually last for several weeks or months. They include:
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Healthcare providers don’t know exactly what causes NES. They believe it results from several factors, including:
Your provider will ask about your symptoms, including how often you wake up at night and what helps you get back to sleep. They will examine you to check your physical health and ask questions about your mood, emotions and mental health.
Your provider may ask you to keep a sleep diary. Keeping track of when you wake up and what you eat at night can help your provider plan treatment. You may also need to spend the night in a sleep study center to check for abnormal sleep behaviors.
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To treat NES, your provider may recommend one treatment or a combination of several. Treatments include:
You may not be able to prevent NES. But you can take steps to improve your health and get restful sleep by:
Untreated, NES can cause health problems and emotional challenges. It can lead to diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other issues that result from carrying excess weight.
But healthcare providers can treat NES with a combination of therapy, medications and lifestyle changes. Many people with NES find relief from symptoms by sticking to a comprehensive treatment plan.
Call your provider if you have symptoms of NES. It’s important to see your provider for an evaluation and check for health conditions that might be causing you to wake up at night. Talk to your provider if you’re sad or anxious.
If you have thoughts of suicide, get help right away. Talk to your provider or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255. This national network of local crisis centers provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Night eating syndrome can have a major impact on your health and wellbeing. In addition to weight gain and excessive daytime sleepiness, NES can cause you to feel out of control. But treatments can help. Be honest with your provider about your symptoms, including when you feel the need to eat and what helps you fall back asleep. Tell your provider if you feel sad, anxious or embarrassed. These details help your provider plan the most effective treatments.
Last reviewed on 09/16/2021.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy