What is binge eating disorder? This is a disorder that is serious where an individual recurrently eats large amounts of food. Everyone overeats at times, for example at holidays, but for these individuals overeating crosses over to binge-eating disorder and becomes a regular slice of their life, but masked in concealment.
Binge Eating Disorder Definition
Binge Eating Disorder is defined a disorder that is characterized by uncontrolled eating episodes or bingeing.
Individuals with this disorder usually have a very deep embarrassment over gorging and often pledge to stop. But the compulsion is so strong that the individual cannot fight these urges and continues this behavior.
This is the most common of all the eating disorders but is not considered a separate psychiatric condition. But for individuals with binge-eating disorder symptoms, there is treatment that can help.
Binge Eating Disorder Statistics
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States that affects 3 percent of women and 2 percent of men. It is common among 30 percent of people who are seeking weight loss treatment.
Difference between Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia
Binge eating disorder and Bulimia are different by the fact that in case of Binge Eating Disorder, there is just uncontrolled eating or bingeing while in bulimia, there is purgatory practices involved. In bulimia, a person may purge excess food out of the system through laxatives, vomiting and diuretic abuse. In binge eating, there is just uncontrolled eating regardless of a person feeling hungry or full.
Symptoms of binge eating disorder
Individuals with this disorder have numerous emotional as well as behavioral symptoms and signs, such as:
• Consuming huge amounts of food
• Continuing to eat pass being full
• Eating quickly during episodes of binging
• Feeling that eating actions are out of control
• Eating even when not hungry
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Dieting frequently, without any loss of weight
• Eating alone frequently
• Feeling disgusted, upset or depressed about eating
• After binges, trying to diet or eat regular size meals. But this restricting of eating only leads to more binge consumption, generating a cycle
An individual might have no physical symptoms or signs with binge-eating disorder – they can be obese or overweight or may have a typical weight.
When individuals have any binge-eating disorder symptoms, they need to seek help medically as quickly as possible. Binge-eating normally does not get better without help and it can even get worse if not treated.
Talk to your primary care physician about any feelings and symptoms. Or pursue help from a mental health supplier. If hesitant to seek treatment, try to find the courage to talk to someone, whether it is a friend or loved one, healthcare professional, teacher, faith leader or someone else you can trust. This person should be able to help you with the first steps to treatment.
If you have a loved one with symptoms of this disorder, have an honest and open conversation about what you are feeling. You cannot force someone to get help but you can offer encouragement as well as support. You can also help your loved one find a good medical or mental health provider and even make an appointment for them. You can even go to that appointment with them.
Causes of binge eating disorder
Cause of this disorder is not known. It is believe that a variety of factors cause this disorder as with many mental illnesses. These causes can include:
• Factors that are biological – There might be genes that are inherited that make some individuals more prone to developing this disorder. Additionally, brain chemistry can be changed in individuals with this disorder.
• Factors that are psychological – Emotional as well as psychological factors can also be part of this disorder. An individual might have low self-esteem as well as problems controlling behaviors that are impulsive, problems with the management of moods or the expression of anger.
• Factors that are environmental – Today’s modern western culture has nurtured and everyday strengthens a desire to be thin. While many individuals who have this disorder with eating are overweight, they are perhaps intensely mindful of their looks and might get upset with themselves after binges.
Risk factors for binge eating disorder
There are some risk factors that increase the possibility of developing this disorder and they include:
• Female – Females are normally somewhat more prone to developing eating disorders.
• Age – Even though individuals of all ages can develop this disorder, it normally begins when individuals are in their late teens or early twenties.
• History – If there are parents or siblings who have had eating disorders, an individual has an enlarged risk of an eating disorder developing.
• Psychological issues – Some behaviors as well as problems emotionally are very common with individuals who have eating disorders. Just as with bulimia, the individual might act impulsively as well as sense a lack of having control over their behavior. They might have a history of substance abuse or depression. Binge eaters often have problems coping with situations that are stressful, sad, angry, boredom as well as worry.
• Dieting – Individuals with binge disorder usually have a history of past dieting that is mixed – some have dieted excessively going back to childhood, while others have never dieted. Dieting in some cases can initiate the impulse to binge eat.
Complications of binge eating disorder
Complications that this disorder can cause or be linked to include:
• Suicidal thoughts
• Depression
• Obesity
• Insomnia
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Other problems with digestion
• Muscle pain
• Headaches
• Joint pain
Treatment for binge eating disorder
The main endpoint for any treatment for this type of disorder is to lessen eating binges, improve emotional well-being as well as if need to lose weight. There are 4 main types of therapy for this eating disorder and they include:
Psychotherapy – Individual or group sessions will help the individual learn how to exchange the unhealthy habits for habits that are healthier. Types of psychotherapy can include:
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Medications – No drugs are designed specifically to treat binge disorder. But, there are some that help in reducing the symptoms. The combination of therapy with drugs can be more effective than either therapy alone. Drugs that may prove helpful include:
• Antidepressants. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors as well as tricyclic antidepressants both help by affecting brain chemicals linked to mood.
• Anticonvulsant topiramate also known as Topamax. This drug can be helpful but has side effects which include burning, numb or tingling sensation and trouble thinking.
Behavioral weight-loss programs – these are not recommended until the eating disorder is treated.
Self-help strategies. Some individuals can find help with self-help books, support groups, as well as videos.
Binge Eating Disorder Pictures
Check out binge eating pictures or photos to see how people are addicted to this eating disorder.
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