How to Treat Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is commonly known as compulsive overeating or eating abnormally large amounts of food when you feel like you can't stop eating and you lose control.
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a type of eating disorder which is now recognized as an official diagnosis. It affects nearly 2% of people worldwide, and can lead to additional diet-related health problems, such as high cholesterol levels and diabetes.
Eating disorders are not just a matter of eating food alone, They are also known as mental disorders. People usually develop it as a way of dealing with deeper problems, or other psychological conditions like anxiety or depression.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder and affects a large number of people in the US.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, it is believed to affect 2% of men, 3.5% of women, and up to 1.6% of teenagers. It is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without the compensatory behavior seen in bulimia nervosa.
Most people overeat on certain occasions, such as holidays.
For some people, overeating that is out of control becomes a common occurrence that crosses the line, to the point of becoming a binge eating disorder.
You may be embarrassed by overeating and vow to stop. But the taste is so compulsive, that you can't help but have the urge to overeat.
If you have binge eating disorder, medication may help.
Bingo Eating Disorder Symptoms.
Many people sometimes overeat, even from time to time. Eating large quantities of food, however, does not necessarily mean that the person has binge eating disorder.
People with binge eating disorder can eat a lot in a short period of time, even if they are not hungry. Depression or emotional stress often play a role and can trigger periods of overeating.
A person may feel good during a binge but experience feelings of shame or loss of control afterward.
In order for a healthcare professional to diagnose BED, three or more of the following symptoms must be present: The following are some behavioral signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder:
1. Hoarding food to eat secretly at a later time.
2. Eat normally in front of others but feel full when isolated.
3. Keep eating even if you're full.
4. The inability to stop eating or control what is eaten.
5. Never feel full and don't care about the amount of food consumed
6. Feelings of stress or anxiety that can only be eliminated by eating
7. A feeling of numbness or lack of sensation when overeating
8. BED involves many physical, social, and emotional difficulties.
What Causes of Binge Eating Disorder?
While the exact cause of binge eating disorder is unknown, there are various factors thought to influence the development of this disorder. These factors are:1. Psychological: A strong correlation has formed between depression and binge eating. Body discontent, low self-esteem, and difficulty coping with feelings can also contribute to binge eating disorder.
2. Biological: Biological abnormalities such as hormonal irregularities or genetic mutations can also be associated with compulsive eating and food addiction. (healthline.com)
3. Social and Cultural: Traumatic situations, such as a history of sexual harassment, can increase the risk of overeating. Social pressures to be thin, usually influenced by the media, can actually trigger emotional eating. People who are subjected to critical comments about their bodies, or their weight, will be especially vulnerable to binge eating disorder.
Overeating vs. Binge Eating
Both may involve mindless behaviour. You eat too much without thinking about the reasons. But there are real differences. Typical examples of overeating are:
- Finish the bag of popcorn while watching a movie.
- When you eat too much because of a stressful event like a breakup, it is sometimes referred to as "emotional eating".
- Eating more than one dessert after dinner
Examples of overeating are:
- Complete three burgers, even when you're already uncomfortable full
- Eats a whole cake in one gulp, then feels guilty
- Sneak a big bag of candy into your room and complete it in secret.
Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder.
Treatment of binge eating disorder is quite difficult, as most people are shy and try to hide it. They often manage to keep their secret, so that close family members and friends don't know that they are suffering from binge eating.
This problem requires a specific treatment plan that is tailored to meet the needs of the sufferer. The goal is to help you get your eating behavior under control.
Treatment of binge eating disorder aims at reducing the severity of the disorder and achieving healthy eating habits. Because binge eating can be linked to shame, poor self-image, and other negative emotions, treatment also includes ways to deal with these and other mental health problems, such as depression. By getting help with medication for binge eating, you can learn how to control your eating.
Medication
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse) is FDA-approved for treating binge eating disorder. This medicine helps reduce the number of episodes and is the first drug to be FDA-approved to treat binge eating disorder. The most common side effects are trouble sleeping, dry mouth, increased heart rate, and feelings of restlessness. It also has more risks, such as strokes, psychiatric disorders, and heart attacks,
The anti-seizure medication topiramate (Topamax) can also help, but side effects can include memory problems, tingling sensations in the fingers and toes, difficulty speaking, and sedation.
Psychotherapy
It is a type of counseling that focuses on changing your behavior (behavioral therapy) and thoughts (cognitive therapy). It includes practical techniques for developing healthy attitudes toward food and weight, as well as approaches to changing how you respond to difficult situations.
Many people get better from binge eating disorder after receiving care and support.
The Difference Between BED and Bulimia
Bulimia is characterized by overeating and purging, or trying to offset the consumption of too many calories by vomiting, taking laxatives, or exercising excessively.
If you have BED, you don't routinely use any of these methods to try to "undo" any weight gain you may be experiencing due to overeating.
But even though it's rare, you can have binge eating disorder and not be overweight, thanks to an individual's genetic makeup or a very fast metabolism.
Summary
Excessive eating is a potentially life-threatening disorder. People who struggle with binge eating disorder often eat abnormally large amounts of food, and feel as though they can't stop eating, leading to tragic consequences.
Women and girls who suffer from binge eating disorder generally feel embarrassed about overeating, and vow to stop. But the impulse to continue binge eating is often too strong to ignore.
