Binge Eating Disorder
Nutrition
Medically Reviewed iconMedically Reviewedcevron icon

Know All About Binge Eating Disorder

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder is a serious eating disorder where you frequently eat large amounts of food, and the temptation to eat more never stops. It is characterized by a condition where one overeats at every occasion, and may even feel guilty of overeating.

Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms

People with Binge eating disorder may resort to eating a lot of food in a short amount of time, even if they are not hungry. Symptoms might start showing up as emotional distress, stress, etc. Common signs and symptoms of a compulsive eating disorder include:

  • Eating more rapidly than normal
  • Sense of relief during a Binge
  • Eating until one is uncomfortably full
  • Eating a lot of food even without feeling hungry
  • Feeling embarrassed or ashamed of eating
  • Eating alone to fulfill the desire to eat
  • Feelings of disgust or guilt with oneself

Also know about yoga asanas for diabetes with pictures.


Who is at Risk?

Binge eating disorder risk factors vary from one person to another depending upon health conditions, psychological issues, etc. Certain red flags for when an individual might be at risk are:

  • People with a family history of Binge eating disorder are more likely to have it themselves
  • People with a history of dieting or calorie control are more likely to develop a compulsive eating disorder
  • Stress or emotional problems triggers Binge eating disorder

Binge Eating Disorder Causes

Reasons for Binge eating disorder are not well understood but are commonly associated with physical and mental disorders. Common Binge eating disorder cause includes:

  • Changes in the brain: Some situational triggers sometimes leads people to a heightened response to food or less self-control
  • Emotional trauma: stressful life events, death of a family member, or even abuse in relationships sometimes leaves people with Binge eating disorder
  • Body image issues: People suffering from obesity, seeking weight loss, body dissatisfaction, overeating, etc are more vulnerable to Binge eating disorder
  • Gender: Women are more likely to get Binge eating disorder than men

How is Binge Eating Disorder Diagnosed?

While overeating is common in people on special events like holidays, parties, etc these don’t qualify as Binge eating disorder. Doctors conduct Binge eating disorder diagnoses based on eating patterns, Binge eating habits, craving for overeating, etc.

  • Physical Examination: Doctors usually conduct a physical examination of the person together withdrawing a conclusive understanding of their compulsive eating disorder. They may talk to you about your episodes of Binge eating, cravings towards food, related psychological and emotional feelings, etc.
  • Binge eating disorder test: Samples of blood and urine is collected and sent to a laboratory for testing conditions related to Binge eating disorder like high blood pressure, diabetes, digestive disorders, etc
  • Sleep disorder: Doctors may ask to monitor the sleeping patterns and reaction to food. Also know about sugar in urine test.

How is Binge Eating Disorder Treated?

Binge eating disorder treatment is undertaken to reduce the tendency of Binge eating and adapting to a more mindful and careful eating pattern. Doctors may design the treatment for you based on what triggers your compulsive eating disorder.

  • Therapy: The goal of psychotherapy is to replace unhealthy habits with healthy eating habits and minimize Binge eating episodes. The therapy can be imparted in many ways including:
  • Interpersonal Psychotherapy: Focussing on interpersonal skills, the goal of this therapy is to improve your relationships with people and help you deal with problems that trigger Binge eating disorder
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Designed to help you deal with issues like body image, depressed mood, etc, the CBT helps in curbing negative feelings towards self and design Binge eating disorder cure
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Behavioral skills like stress management, anger management, regulation of emotions is practiced to cure binge eating disorder
  • Medicine: Doctors may prescribe stimulant medicines to help people deal with emotional triggers or psycho-physio disorders that induce binge eating disorder.
  • Behavioral Weight-loss Programs: Often people with a history of failed attempts at weight loss are affected by Binge eating disorder, dedicated behavioral weight loss programs are designed to treat Binge eating disorder and help them lose weight.

How can Binge Eating Disorder be Prevented?

Binge eating disorder prevention is possible when people follow disciplined and mindful eating. Some of the measures include:

  • Following a healthy and nutritional diet
  • Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle
  • Avoiding stress, anxiety, or depression
  • Practicing yoga, pranayama, or meditation
  • Arranging your environment to prevent tempting food
  • Staying connected with friends and family
Book a Free Session

References

  • https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder/binge-eating-disorder-medref

Disclaimer

This website's content is provided only for educational reasons and is not meant to be a replacement for professional medical advice. Due to individual differences, the reader should contact their physician to decide whether the material is applicable to their case.