Binge Eating Disorder
Most people overeat from time to time, especially during the Christmas break where the tin of Quality Street winks at you and says "one more won't hurt". However, binge eating disorder, or compulsive overeating, as it is also known, is completely different to the occasional binges that we all partake of from time to time. Binge eating is where the individual concerned feels compelled to overeat and feels powerless to stop. The sufferer often eats very quickly, and continues to eat even when full, even when their tummies are yelling "no more". It is characterised by the sufferer being powerless and unable to stop eating.
Binge eating can be triggered by stress, disappointment or anger. Eating can bring comfort, but after binging the sufferer may feel self loathing and their lack of self control. Unlike other eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa, people with binge eating disorder do not try to purge themselves by vomitting, taking laxatives or exercising excessively to stop themselves from gaining weight.
What causes a person to binge eat?
There may be a number of causes of this syndrome. It could be genetic; it could be caused by a child's upbringing and emotions or it could have a physical cause, such as an incorrectly functioning hypothalamus. Serotonin, a brain chemical that is connected to certain compulsive behaviour may also be connected.
The most frequent cause of binge eating is overeating during childhood. Everyone can find food comforting from time to time. However, if food is too often associated with bringing comfort or relieving stress, children may grow up programmed to eat whenever they suffer from emotions that they don't know how to deal with. Many young people are secretive about their binge eating problem because they feel ashamed. This can stop them from seeking the help that they need.
What are the characteristics of binge eating?
These are the typical signs:
- Eating very quickly.
- Continuing to eat when full, even though this may cause discomfort.
- Eating alone.
- Being deceitful over the amount you eat or hiding away to eat.
- Experiencing self loathing after an episode of binge eating.
- Excessive weight gain.
Binge eaters normally binge more than twice a week.
What are the health consequences of binge eating disorder?
The health consequences of binge eating disorder are typically those suffered by people who are obese, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, type II diabetes and heart problems.
How is it treated?
Typical therapy would involve a doctor, nutritionist and psychotherapist working together to help the patient establish a pattern of healthy eating and deal with emotional stress without turning to food. It may be helpful to involve the whole family in therapy as the unhealthy attitude to food was probably developed in child hood and other members of the family may have similar problems.
It can be helpful to start a new hobby or interest, so that food is no longer the central part of a patient's life.