Binge Eating Disorder
Overview
We have all over eaten on occasion, holidays, celebrations, Christmas and family get togethers are all prime examples, but as it’s only occasionally it’s not something to worry about long term. However binge eating disorder is a serious mental health condition where people over eat until they feel uncomfortably full. They feel an overwhelming compulsion to binge and that they lack control where eating is concerned.
People with binge eating disorder, will binge eat at least once a week and can either plan to do so well in advance or do so spontaneously. They will eat large amounts of food far greater than most people, and rapidly in a short period of time usually one to two hours. Unlike other eating disorders people who binge eat do not try to compensate for their over eating by dieting, using laxatives, vomiting or exercising excessively.
Binge eating is the most common of all eating disorders, but despite this, there is far less awareness of the condition than there is of conditions such as bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa. It can affect both men and women at any stage in their life but most often occurs in a person’s twenties.
People who binge eat can be a normal weight or overweight, but they will be unhappy with their weight either way. Sufferers often feel embarrassed, ashamed or guilty about their binge eating, and the condition is often linked with high levels of distress, and it can be a way for people to deal with their extreme emotions. They may go through periods of trying to cut back or restrict their eating but this can lead to increases in their urge to binge.
Causes of binge eating disorder
There is no known single cause for developing binge eating disorder, which is the case for most eating disorders. Experts think there are several contributory factors that can lead to its development and these can include:
- Family history
If you or another member of your family has binge eating disorder or any other type of eating disorder, you are more at risk of developing the condition
- Brain Chemistry
A person’s biology as well as changes in certain brain chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine can affect eating habits
- Mental health conditions
Having other mental health disorders such as
- anxiety or mood disorders
- depression
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- substance use disorders
- body dysmorphic disorder
can also lead to developing binge eating disorder
- Extreme Dieting
Sometimes people who have resorted to very low calorie diets in an attempt to lose weight, or have cut meals out completely or dieted frequently can be at a greater risk
- Life experience
It’s believed that people who have suffered trauma or physical or sexual abuse, have poor body image or low self-esteem can be more likely to develop the condition
- Social pressure
People who feel pressured to be slim like models, celebrities, dancers and athletes, or were criticised for their eating habits or weight can also be vulnerable to eating disorders including binge eating
Symptoms and behaviours of binge eating disorder
The main symptoms of binge eating are eating a lot of food over a short period of time and having no control over your eating and feeling negative emotions about your binging. Symptoms and behaviours can vary amongst individuals but can include:
Physical Symptoms
- Weight changes either weight gain or loss
- Gastrointestinal issues including stomach cramps or pain, bloating, constipation or acid reflux
- Cardiovascular issues
- Developing food intolerances
- Sleep problems and feeling tired
Psychological Symptoms
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Being unhappy or dissatisfied about the size, weight or shape of your body
- Irritability
- Preoccupation about food, weight or body shape
- Poor body image
- Loneliness and social withdrawal
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of distress, sadness, disgust or self-loathing after binge eating
- Feelings of guilt, shame or embarrassment
- Being sensitive to comments about food, dieting or exercise
- Self-harming and suicidal thought
Behavioural Symptoms
- Spending large amounts of money on food
- Hiding, stealing or hoarding food
- Eating in secret or alone and being uncomfortable eating around others
- Eating so fast you’re not aware of how much you’re eating
- Eating past the point of being full to the point of feeling uncomfortable
- Eating quickly over a short period of time
- Becoming socially withdrawn, spending less time with friends
- Eating to manage your emotions or in response to emotional stress
- Avoiding discussing food or weight
- Dieting or cutting out food groups or trying fad foods
- Changing their lifestyle to accommodate their binging
- Constantly being concerned about their shape and weight
Long-term health risks of having binge eating disorder
If someone has binge eating disorder, that remains untreated over a long period of time, it can lead to potentially serious health conditions including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cardiovascular problems
- Osteoarthritis
- Elevated cholesterol levels or raised blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gallstone
- Fatty liver disease
- Substance misuse
- Self-harming
Self-help for binge eating
There are organisations and self-help groups that can help you by providing support and information about overcoming binge eating. Keeping a journal can be a helpful way to learn to recognise what triggers your urge to binge. If you learn to recognise these emotions then you can try to learn different ways to cope with them other than binging. Trying to eat healthily and regularly will help you to avoid spikes in your blood sugar levels, portioning your food and eating healthy snacks could help you to feel the need to binge less often.
Diagnosis and treatment for binge eating disorder
If you are struggling to manage your binge eating you should contact your doctor immediately as the sooner you start treatment the sooner you will recover. They will deal with both the physical and psychological symptoms of the condition.
They can refer you to health professionals to help with your recovery, including dieticians and psychotherapists, as well as prescribing any medication required to deal with any physical problems that have arisen.
Generally therapy is the best treatment for binge eating disorder, talking therapies such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) will help you to examine your thoughts and behaviours and the feelings behind them. They will teach you to replace the negative thoughts and behaviours that lead you to binge eating. Written by Jan, Jeana and Wendy at Barnsley Hypnosis and Counselling (UK). For more free information click above link.
