Binge Eating Disorder

Have you ever eaten so much food that you felt sick? This is pretty common in American culture. For some individuals, though, it occurs regularly, and they feel like they can't control it.

• What is a binge-eating disorder?
• What are the criteria for binge-eating disorder?
• What are the symptoms of the binge-eating disorder?
• What are the risk factors for developing the binge-eating disorder?
• What treatments are available for binge-eating disorder?

The Definition of Binge-Eating Disorder

Eating disordersare significant problems in the way a person views and consumes food. Global statistics show that at least9% of the population is affected by an eating disorder. These disorders severely affect an individual’s everyday life and well-being. There are a total of sixeating disorders, and they include:

• Pica

• Rumination disorder

• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder

• Anorexia nervosa

• Bulimia nervosa

• Binge-eating disorder

Of all of theseeating disorders,binge-eating disorderis the most common type, and 47% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder have binge-eating disorder.

How does binge-eating disorder (BED) differ from other eating disorders? Those diagnosed with BED experience a wide array of symptoms. With eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, extreme cases of food restriction are a major factor; however, this is not present in BED. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by symptoms of purging after meals. BED doesn't always include purging behaviors. So what is BED?

The Criteria for Binge-Eating Disorder

Diagnosis and criteria, Pexels.com

This eating disorder differs from the others disorders due to a lack of symptoms like purging or excessive exercise. Because binge-eating disorder does not have these distinct symptoms, it can be hard to tell if someone is just binge-eating or qualifies for the diagnosis of binge-eating disorder.

To avoid making over-generalizations about chronic disorders, criteria for a diagnosis are used to determine whether or not an individual has a serious condition that should be addressed and treated.

Frequency

One of the most important factors to analyze when diagnosing a binge-eating disorder is the frequency the individual is experiencingbinge eating episodes. If someone is having at least one binge eating episode per week over a three-month period, they may be experiencing BED. Individuals with a severe form of binge eating disorder can experience these episodes 14 or more times per week. These episodes are highly detrimental to their overall health and ability to function in daily life.

Behaviors

The context of the binge itself is a strong indicator of whether someone may have a binge-eating disorder. BED is characterized by eating abnormally large amounts of food within around two hours. During the binge, someone with the disorder would report feelings like loss of control when eating, continuing to eat past hunger satiation, uncomfortable fullness, and feelings of intense guilt and shame following the binge. Other behaviors include unusually rapid eating and eating in secret to avoid feelings of embarrassment in front of others.

Unique Criteria

How do you know if it's BED or another kind of eating disorder? Some people may not even realize they have an eating disorder due to the absence of certain symptoms. In bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, the act of purging (vomiting or using diuretics), excessively working out, or restricting food intake are common symptoms.

Binge-eating disorder, however, does not have to include any of these symptoms. Despite how common it is, it can be harder to spot BED, and it may even go undiagnosed. Another reason BED is hard to identify is that it is common for those with BED to hide their struggle and isolate themselves during binging episodes.

The Symptoms of Binge-Eating Disorder

Someone diagnosed with binge-eating disorder experiences symptoms that impact their mental health and well-being. These symptoms can also impact their social life and relationships.

These symptoms include:

• Eating abnormally large amounts of food

• Secretive eating behavior

• Food-associated guilt, low self-esteem, and negative self-image

• Loss of control during binging episodes

• Rapid eating spells

• Consuming food past feeling hungry or full

• Feelings of guilt, shame, and depression following a binge

Eating past fullness, Pixabay.com

These symptoms are extremely detrimental to the individual diagnosed with BED, and they usually face adverse impacts on their social life, self-image, confidence, mental health, and physiological health. The symptom ofsecretive eating behavior,in particular, may keep the individual from eating in social settings or in public without feeling embarrassed or anxious.

A person diagnosed with BED may feel food-associated guilt which, in turn, can seriously complicate their general relationship with food and eating. Something that many enjoy and think of as a positive experience is experienced completely differently by someone with BED. Binging episodes happen in a cycle, so it is difficult to achieve a positive relationship with food.

很多人被诊断出患有贪食disorder often eat past fullness and at extremely fast rates. Due to this uncontrollable and unhealthy pattern of eating, some people may be at risk of certain health issues and obesity. Of course, not everyone that is obese has binge-eating disorder and not everyone with BED will experience obesity. This correlational observation, however, is something to look out for in the presence of this particular eating disorder, since it can pose a serious threat to physical and emotional health.

Risk Factors for Binge-Eating Disorder

With such a complex disorder, there are many different health risks and mental health issues associated with BED. Due to the nature of the disorder, binge-eating can result in weight-related problems such as being overweight or obese. Other illnesses have been linked to BED as a risk factor, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Those struggling with an eating disorder may also experience other mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Available evidence suggests that manyeating disordersstem from emotional deficits in an individual’s mental health. One study, in particular, supports the idea that people diagnosed with binge-eating disorder may use binge eating as a way to cope with negative emotions.

Current research on the main cause of binge-eating disorders is limited, but possible causes include several social, emotional, and genetic factors. One study found a gene associated with binge-eating disorder that may increase risk. This means that certain individuals may be more vulnerable to developing BED, especially if someone in their family has a history of BED.

Treatment for Binge-Eating Disorder

Treating a binge-eating disorder can be difficult since there are many possible causes and aspects that are unique to each individual. Eating disorders tend to have highcomorbidity,which means that they are likely to be present in addition to another mental disorder. Psychological evaluations are necessary to determine the best approach to treatment.

Psychological treatments includecognitive-behavioral therapyandinterpersonalpsychotherapyto support those struggling with the disorder. Both of these treatments are effective at treating BED in research studies, and they are also used to treat other mental disorders like anxiety and depression.

One university study conducted on the effectiveness of three BED treatments involved a randomized trial of 205 male and female participants. Results of the study suggest that both interpersonalpsychotherapyand cognitive-behavioral therapy are the most effective in treating BED (Wilson et. al., 2010).