Just think about it... You eat a lot in one go and then feel horrific about it after getting done. This is exactly how Binge Eating Disorder starts. It is not merely a food craving but the feeling of the person with the binge eating disorder (BED), which is a severe psychological disorder. Clinical research on binge eating disorder statistics has shown that approximately 1.9% of individuals all over the world develop this disorder during their lifetime, which makes BED one of the most widespread eating disorders.
In this article, we explore the understanding of what binge eating disorder actually is, the difference between it and the other eating disorders, its causes, and, more importantly, binge eating disorder symptoms, its diagnosis, and treatment.
What Is Binge Eating Disorder?
Medically, the condition of binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating an abnormally large amount of food within a brief duration of time. Moreover, losing control over the episodes. Unlike other eating disorders like bulimia nervosa, BED is not associated with purging after eating (no vomiting, laxatives, or excessive exercise).
In simple terms, it is not the occasional overeating after a stressful day but a habit of behavior, which may be emotionally and physically devastating.
How Common Is Binge Eating Disorder?
BED is more prevalent than you can imagine. Medical researchers in studies have indicated that although accurate figures may differ depending on years in each community, the overall lifetime rates of binge eating disorder in the world are close to 2%, and in certain groups, such as adults who seek obesity treatment, the figure may even be more.
It can happen at any age, but usually, teens are more at risk. And when it comes to gender, women are more prone to binge eating because of hormonal fluctuations.
Binge Eating Disorder vs Bulimia Nervosa
At first sight, binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa could be confused: in both cases, a person is eating too much food and feels that they no longer have control over it.
The most important distinction is what follows.
→ In bulimia nervosa, the binge is then compensated by the use of compensatory behaviors, which include self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, or over-exercise in order to reverse the calories eaten.
→ In the case of BED, compensatory acts do not exist. This leads to extremely different binge eating disorder treatment options, methods, and physical health outcomes.
Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
The signs and symptoms are not the same for everyone. But experts have noticed a pattern of psychological and emotional symptoms of binge eating disorder to deduce it.
|
Aspect |
Emotional & Psychological |
Behavioral |
Physical |
|
Core Experience |
Shame, guilt, distress |
Loss of control while eating |
Physical discomfort |
|
Before/During Eating |
Anxiety, emotional numbness |
Rapid eating, large portions, eating when not hungry |
Bloating, fullness |
|
After Eating |
Regret, self-blame, embarrassment |
Hiding food, eating alone |
Fatigue, stomach pain |
|
Ongoing Pattern |
Low self-esteem, depression |
Cycles of restriction and bingeing |
Weight fluctuations, digestive issues |
What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?
Like the signs of binge eating disorder, no single cause exists for binge eating disorder.
Rather, it is the result of the interplay of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
- Brain chemical regulation and changes
- Genes
- Hormonal change
- Low self-esteem
- Traumatic experiences in the past
- Constant stress
- Feeling emotional more than usual
- Dieting excessively
- Family history
- Over or underweight
- Mental health issues
Diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder
The diagnosis is initiated with a thorough clinical examination by a health expert with a history of eating disorders. To check the side effects of binge eating disorder, the doctor will talk about eating habits, emotional health, and health history in general.
The typical pattern of binge episodes (eating large quantities demanded by an extreme sense of loss of control) sought by clinicians at outpatient eating disorder treatment centers is a minimum of one binge episode per week over three months, and distress from the behavior.
They also assess co-occurring mood disorders or physical complications.
Early diagnosis for binge eating disorder treatment may result in a significant difference in the success of treatment and in the outcome and state of health.
Management and Treatment Options of Binge Eating
Treatment of binge eating disorder (BED) aims at curbing the number of episodes of binge behaviors as well as dealing with the emotional and psychological processes that lead to the habit.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been demonstrated through clinical trials to be effective in reducing the number of binge episodes in patients, and is thus among the most effective interventions used to treat BED.
Depending on the needs, other forms of therapy, like online therapy for binge eating disorder, may also be useful. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) is aimed at enhancing communication and solving relationship conflicts, which could lead to emotional eating.
The dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness, which have proven to be more beneficial to individuals who turn to binge eating due to high emotions.
Nutrition Counseling
Eating disorders can be treated with the help of a registered dietitian to realize a more positive relationship with food. Instead of encouraging restrictive dieting, nutrition treatment for binge eating disorder aims at setting up regular and balanced meals, lessening the fears of particular foods, and learning to distinguish between hunger and fullness.
Medication
The binge eating disorder medication is not necessary in all cases, but in certain situations, it may be a beneficial supplement to the treatment, when prescribed by a professional eating disorder specialist.
Some antidepressants and an FDA-approved medication for binge eating disorder have been demonstrated to decrease the number of binges and enhance the impulse control of individuals with moderate to severe BED, when prescribed and managed by an eating disorder specialist. Medication is not effective when it is used in isolation from psychotherapy.
Long-Term Impact of Untreated Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder may lead to physical and emotional diseases when untreated.
→ Physically, BED is linked to weight gain and loss, metabolic problems such as insulin resistance, digestive problems, and predisposition to heart diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Chronic shame and guilt may contribute to anxiety and depression at the expense of quality of life.
→ Another compelling statistic to help readers proceed to helpful resources is that individuals with BED are much more likely than others to have psychiatric comorbidities, and it is such a deeply rooted issue that it is nearly impossible to separate it from the overall well-being of mental health.
Start Your Eating Disorder Recovery with Health & Psychiatry!
Recovery is possible with eating disorder treatment in Tampa. When you or a loved one has the tendencies of uncontrolled eating accompanied by emotional distress, seeking the attention of a medical binge eating disorder therapist or other mental health care professional is the first important step.
At Health & Psychiatry binge eating disorder clinic, we promote early intervention to not only lessen the long-term effects of BED, but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of wellbeing and self-acceptance!
Book your consultation with our binge eating disorder specialist today and start healthy eating!
FAQs
Is binge eating disorder the same as overeating?
No. BED involves repeated episodes of consuming large amounts of food with a sense of lost control and emotional suffering.
Can someone have a binge eating disorder without being overweight?
Yes, people with binge eating issues can be of any weight and size.
How is binge eating different from bulimia?
BED involves excessive eating without purging behaviors, while bulimia includes compensatory actions like vomiting or misuse of laxatives
Is binge eating disorder linked to other mental health conditions?
Yes. Anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms are linked to binge eating disorder.
Is binge eating disorder treatable without medication?
Yes, you can treat your binge eating problem with therapy and lifestyle changes.
