What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder is characterized by chronic, compulsive overeating. Occasional overeating is normal; however, it becomes a disorder when it is something that is dealt with every day, that controls one’s life. Binge eating is defined as consuming large quantities of food in a short period of time, feeling like one cannot stop. Unlike bulimia, which was discussed last month, binge eating disorder does not involve purging the calories that were taken in. A binge eating episode ends with eating. There are some with binge eating disorder who are also chronic dieters, attempting to restrict calories before or after lapsing into an episode. This could be to make up for the binge that took place.
Symptoms and Signs
Eating a greater amount of food than most would in a limited period, such as one to two hours, is considered binge eating. Feeling a sense of compulsion or lack of control associated with eating is another criterion used to diagnose the disorder. Feeling distress about binge eating and having episodes at least once a week for several months are also criteria. A person meeting all three criteria may be diagnosed with having binge eating disorder. Other symptoms may include eating past the point of satisfaction, eating too fast to notice how it feels, emotional eating, and avoiding social eating. People fighting this disorder may organize their schedules around binge eating sessions, hoard food in hidden places for later access, hide eating from others due to embarrassment, and feel guilt, remorse, shame, and self-esteem issues related to binge eating.
Statistics and Risk Factors
Binge eating disorder is the most common of all eating disorders, accounting for almost half of all diagnoses. Around 3% of the United States population is affected, including all racial and ethnic groups. Women are more commonly diagnosed than men, and teenagers are more diagnosed than adults. There are many factors that influence eating behavior leading to this diagnosis. Psychology, biology, and learned habits all have influence on overeating behaviors. Risk factors associated with binge eating disorder include a family pattern of disordered eating, personal history of trauma or abuse, personal history of food insecurity, mood disorders, anxiety disorder, ADHD, and body dysmorphic disorder.
Health Risks
While anorexia and bulimia are associated with wanting to look thinner and weigh less, binge eating disorder leads to an increased risk of obesity. Complications from obesity can include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gallstones, fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and osteoarthritis. While not everyone with binge eating disorder is obese, the chances of obesity are increased due to the nature of the disorder. The combination of both can be very harmful, compounding both mental and physical distress.
Treatment
The most important part of a treatment plan for binge eating disorder is talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps a person examine their behaviors, as well as their thoughts and feelings behind them. Therapists work with the person in a structured way to break those patterns, finding more constructive ways of responding to thoughts and feelings. Interpersonal therapy is a short-term focused therapy for individuals that addresses the current conflicts and stress factors affecting one’s life. This therapy focuses on problem-solving to relieve the most pressing points, rather than digging into childhood issues. Other types of therapy include dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and group therapy. While therapy is the most important part of a treatment plan, medications and diet may also play supporting roles in a treatment plan.
Be Aware of your Eating Habits
The occasional binge eating episode is normal and everyone faces them. When it becomes a normal part of a person’s routine, lasting months, it can be a disorder that requires treatment. Many associate eating disorders with being thin, however, binge eating disorder is more focused on emotions and a feeling of joy associated with food, which could lead to obesity. Obesity then can lead to many other physical complications that would need to be treated. If you believe you or a loved one is dealing with binge eating disorder, know that help is available for anyone and everyone who needs it. There is a way out to a healthy way of eating.
