Binge eating disorder (BED) is when someone frequently eats large amounts of food in short periods. This often happens alongside mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
BED can affect people of any age or gender, though it’s often seen in young adults. In the United States, it’s the most common eating disorder, as stated by the Office on Women’s Health.
People with BED might eat excessively to cope with emotional problems or as a sign of a deeper mental health issue.
What is binge eating disorder (BED)?
While many individuals may eat excessively sometimes, particularly during holidays or celebrations, this isn’t BED.
BED is when overeating happens regularly, causing feelings of shame and impacting daily life. Not like eating for enjoyment, BED is often linked to mental health, emotional, or medical problems.
It’s more normal in women than men, and about 79% of people with BED also have a mental health disorder.
Symptoms
Binge eating disorder (BED) involves events where a person consumes significantly more food than usual, occurring at least once a week for 3 months or longer. This overeating can manifest in various ways, such as eating rapidly, eating until feeling excessively full, eating when not physically hungry, eating single because of embarrassment, and experiencing negative emotions like disgust, and depression.
In 2013, the American Psychological Association included binge eating disorder as a formal mental health diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition. As stated by the DSM-5 criteria; to receive a diagnosis of BED, a person must engage in binge eating episodes at least once a week for a period of three months or longer.
Complications
Complications associated with binge eating disorder (BED) include a heightened chance of weight gain, which can contribute to diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and other health issues.
Individuals with BED often experience a sense of uncontrollable eating behavior. Despite frequent attempts to diet, they may struggle to adhere to the diet or achieve weight loss. Some may even plan and prepare for binge eating episodes by purchasing specific foods in advance, or they might hoard food and conceal empty containers afterward.
Emotionally, those with BED may contend with panic feelings, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and a sense of hopelessness. These symptoms can significantly impact their daily lives and overall well-being.
Eating disorder and Mental health
Eating disorders like binge eating disorder (BED) often have roots in basic mental health issues. Common conditions that coincide with binge eating include anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
BED can trigger a cycle of emotional challenges for individuals affected. They may feel trapped in despair, followed by feelings of guilt over their eating habits. Despite attempts at self-discipline, they may find themselves trapped in recurring episodes of overeating. This cycle can perpetuate low self-esteem, which is a significant element in eating disorders. Such feelings of self-blame can further harm their self-esteem, creating a challenging cycle to break.
When to consult a doctor
BED can significantly affect both physical and mental health. If you find yourself compelled to eat a huge quantity of food, it’s important to seek help from a doctor, even if your weight seems healthy.
Your healthcare provider may conduct tests to find other medical conditions that could arise from binge eating, such as heart problems or issues with the gallbladder.
It can be difficult to talk about BED with others, including your doctor, due to feelings of isolation or embarrassment. However, getting treatment can address the uncontrollable eating patterns and any underlying emotional issues like depression or anxiety.
By addressing these issues, treatment can help resolve the problem and improve your overall well-being.
Risk factors
The actual cause of BED isn’t fully understood, but several factors may contribute to its development. Biological factors, personality traits, and environmental influences like body shaming can all play a role.
Researchers have identified various risk factors associated with BED:
- Age: It can start at any age; however, it often begins in adolescence or early twenties.
- Family and personal history: Family habitat that emphasizes negative relationships alongside food can develop the likelihood of growing an eating disorder.
- Social environment: Media, involving social media, that focuses on body shape and weight can trigger binge eating.
- Other eating disorders: Individuals who have had other eating disorders, like bulimia or anorexia, are at higher chance of developing BED.
- Related conditions: Certain medical conditions, like Prader-Willi syndrome, may also trigger binge eating.
- Follow Diet: Women who frequently diet are more likely to develop BED compared to those who don’t diet, as per the Office on Women’s Health.
- Mental health problems: Anxiety, stress, depression, anger, and other emotional challenges can develop the chance of developing an eating disorder.
- Sexual harassment: A significant number of individuals with BED have experienced sexual trauma, with statistics suggesting high rates among both women and men affected.
Recognizing these risk factors can help in understanding and addressing binge eating disorder to improve overall health and well-being.
Treatment
Treatment for binge eating disorder (BED) focuses on reducing binge episodes and improving emotional well-being.
Effective treatment typically involves several components:
- Talk therapy: This includes therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, where a person can talk through and manage feelings like shame, guilt, low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety.
- Nutrition counseling: Consulting with a dietitian specialized in eating disorders can assist in establishing healthier eating habits and meal plans that are sustainable.
- Medication: In some cases, medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, commonly used as antidepressants, may be prescribed to address basic mental health conditions.
- Support groups: Participating in self-help and support groups allows individuals to connect with others facing similar challenges, reducing feelings of isolation and providing mutual encouragement.
These approaches together aim to support individuals in managing and overcoming binge eating disorder, promoting a healthier relationship with food, and improving overall well-being.
Outlook
If you’re worried that you might have a binge eating disorder (BED), the American Psychological Association (APA) recommends seeking assistance from a licensed specialist who practices eating disorders.
It’s crucial to get help because any eating disorder, including binge eating, can have serious consequences. However, with treatment—although it may take time—you can get better. Treatment can help you manage and overcome BED, improving your overall health and well-being.
Summary
Binge eating disorder (BED) involves frequent episodes of overeating, often linked to emotional and mental health issues. It can lead to weight gain and various health complications. Treatment focuses on reducing binge episodes and addressing underlying emotional concerns through therapies like CBT, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medication.
Seeking help from a specialist is crucial, as BED can worsen without intervention. Support groups can also provide valuable encouragement and reduce feelings of isolation. With proper treatment, individuals can manage BED and improve their overall well-being over time.
