Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Symptoms

Common symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

• An uncontrollable urge to eat even when one is not hungry

• Eating desperately & rapidly

• Eating unusually huge quantities of food

• Eating until one feels uncomfortably full

• A kind of obsession with food

• Avoiding company while eating due to embarrassment

• Feeling guilty and ashamed later about such consistently uncontrollable eating

Causes and Risk Factors

Several factors influence an individual’s eating behaviour; for instance, biological and psychological factors and habits that one has acquired simply by learning from others could be possible causes of BED. The causes triggering binge eating vary from one person to another. However, researchers believe that this disorder has its roots in the human mind. Some people binge eat to give vent to their emotional distress. Eating can release pleasure hormones like serotonin and dopamine, making you happy for a certain period. But later, this may develop into an addictive tendency, compelling you to binge eat.

The risk factors associated with binge eating include:

• A family history of unorganised eating

• A family history of stress-handling dysfunction

• Depression, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders

• A personal history of dieting

• A personal history of addiction or abuse

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Impact on Mental and Physical Health

Binge eating is more complex than it seems to be. People with this disorder often indulge in food to escape from their debilitating emotions. However, binge eating can cause more mental distress. A person who binge eats may experience feelings of self-criticism, self-pity, shame, and guilt. These feelings can result in more depression, frustration, and tendencies to indulge in substance abuse.

The impacts of binge eating on physical health include obesity, diabetes, poor cardiovascular health, insomnia, GERD, polycystic ovarian syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy complications, and joint and muscle pain.

Diagnosis

The first step to diagnosing binge eating disorder is talking to the patient to understand his or her mental status. The healthcare professional may ask the patient to maintain a calendar to track the person’s eating habits over a month.

The other diagnostic tests include:

• Checking the patient’s body weight

• Checking the patient’s blood pressure

• Certain blood tests

• Urine analysis

Treatment Options

Treatment for binge eating disorder involves the intervention of a group of specialists or rather a team, which includes psychiatrists, dieticians, and other doctors who are specialised in treating the various physical impacts of binge eating. By addressing the mind first, the doctor tries to address this disorder.

Doctors may recommend CBT (i.e., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), IPT (i.e., Interpersonal Psychotherapy), DBT (i.e., Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), Weight Loss Therapy, and medications (like antiepileptic drugs and antidepressants) to manage the condition effectively. An individual may be prescribed one or a combination of these modes of treatment, depending on the severity of BED.

Prevention Tips

If you are trying to get rid of this eating disorder, you must follow these preventative tips:

• Do not avoid going to the therapist

• Adhere to your diet plan strictly

• Do not skip your meals

• Make sure to take a nutrient-dense diet

• Stay away from foods that trigger binging

• Try to lead a physically active life

• Do not isolate yourself socially

• Note down your urge to binge and related mood swings in a diary

• Practice mindfulness and try to get 7-8 hours of restful sleep

• Talk to a friend/your spouse/a family member/a support group