What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a type of eating disorder characterised by recurring episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period of time. While individuals partake in these binge eating episodes, they tend to lack self-control over the amounts they consume and are followed by feelings of shame and guilt.
Unlike other eating disorders, people with binge eating disorders don’t partake in purging activities such as self-induced vomiting, laxative consumption or excessive exercise.
Living with a binge eating disorder can be an immensely difficult journey, and individuals are in a constant battle between their minds and body. BED is often accompanied by other mental health challenges, such as anxiety and depression, which makes the whole experience even more difficult to overcome. However, recovery is possible with the proper support, compassion, and empathy.
What Are Binge Eating Episodes?
Binge-eating episodes are key characteristics of binge eating disorder. During these episodes, people with binge eating disorder consume large amounts of food within a short time, sometimes even when they’re not feeling hungry. Additionally, during binge-eating episodes, individuals feel a lack of control over the amount they consume, leaving them embarrassed, guilty, or ashamed.
It’s crucial to note that occasional overeating during stressful or emotional periods does not indicate an individual is experiencing a binge eating disorder.
Signs and Symptoms
There is a range of signs and symptoms linked to binge eating disorder. Understanding the full range of symptoms is crucial for early diagnosis and proper treatment.
The most common signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder can be divided into behavioural, emotional, physical, and psychological.
Behavioural
The behavioural signs of binge eating disorder revolve around eating patterns and habits. This includes:
- The disappearance of large quantities of food in short periods of time
- Evidence of empty wrappers and containers indicating consumption of large amounts of food
- Frequent signs of skipping meals while at social gatherings
- Avoiding social gatherings that involve food
- Consuming food without feeling hunger
- Eating all times throughout the day with no planned mealtimes
- Periodic fasting
Emotional
The emotional symptoms of binge eating can immensely affect one’s mental health, self-esteem, and relationship with others. Some common signs and symptoms include:
- Feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and shame preceding and following binges
- Dissatisfaction with one’s body image
- Perfectionistic tendencies
- Using food to cope with emotions
- Challenges with mood swings or irritability related to eating behaviours
Physical
Individuals experiencing BED can show some physical signs sometime after the eating disorder develops. These signs include:
- Frequent weight fluctuation
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol level
- Challenges with cardiovascular health
- Challenges with the gastrointestinal system
- Frequent low energy levels
- Challenges with joint pain
- Sleep apnea
- Menstrual irregularities
Psychological
Some of the more common psychological symptoms of binge eating disorder include:
- Feelings of depression and anxiety
- Feelings of distress and shame over eating habits
- Challenges with managing stress or difficult emotions
- Challenges with obsessive thoughts over food and eating habits
- Challenges with impulsivity
- Challenges with low self-esteem
What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?
Healthcare professionals do not fully understand the causes of BED. However, some research shows that the cause might be a combination of psychological, environmental, and genetic factors.
Although no specific gene is identified as the cause of binge eating disorder, research shows that eating disorders tend to run in families. Additionally, psychological factors such as PTSD, trauma, and abuse might result in BED as a way for individuals to cope with these challenging emotions.
Societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards also play a major role in the cause of BED. Individuals experiencing binge eating disorder have challenges with negative self-image and low self-esteem and have challenges coping with negative emotions as a result.
It’s important to remember that not everyone who has experienced these factors will develop a binge eating disorder.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing binge eating disorder involves a medical history, physical exam, psychological evaluation, and eating patterns and behaviours assessment.
To be officially diagnosed with BED, an individual must meet specific criteria. The most important criterion for BED diagnosis is having at least one binge-eating episode per week for a minimum of three months. Additionally, psychological evaluation determines the relationship between an individual and their eating patterns.
It can be immensely difficult for individuals to talk about binge eating disorder, mainly because they are overwhelmed with guilt and shame associated with the condition. Hence, many individuals living with an eating disorder tend to avoid seeking help.
Therefore, approaching a loved one with BED might be a delicate matter and take a lot of patience, compassion, and empathy.
Differences Between BED and Other Eating Disorders
Although binge eating disorder shares some similarities with other eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, there are key differences between eating disorders.
The main difference between binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa is that individuals experiencing BED don’t partake in purging activities such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise and laxative intake.
When it comes to BED and anorexia nervosa, individuals experiencing anorexia tend to restrict themselves from food consumption, whereas individuals experiencing BED don’t have restrictive eating behaviours.
Although eating disorders involve some unhealthy eating habits, it’s crucial to understand their differences. This is especially important regarding diagnosis, treatment, and support.
How Is Binge Eating Disorder Treated?
Although living with a binge eating disorder can be a challenging journey followed by difficult emotions, it is treatable. Treating this eating disorder involves a combination of psychotherapy, nutritional counselling, and in some cases, medication.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy helps individuals underline emotional challenges with the support of a professional. Therapy can help individuals identify the triggers that cause their unhealthy eating patterns and overcome some of the difficult emotions.
Working with a therapist can also help individuals build their self-esteem and overcome their negative body image.
Medication
In some severe cases, individuals might have a bigger challenge overcoming feelings of anxiety and depression. Hence, in some cases, a healthcare professional might prescribe medication, such as antidepressants, to help individuals overcome these emotions.
Nutrition and a Balanced Diet
Nutritional counselling can be highly effective for treating people experiencing a binge eating disorder. This includes a collaborative process where a professional will help create a balanced diet, provide mindful eating techniques, and provide support in overcoming negative body image.
Group and Family Therapy
Group therapy can be immensely helpful for individuals experiencing binge eating disorder, as they get the chance to be in a safe environment where they feel understood.
In some cases, individuals can benefit from family therapy, where family members can learn how to best support the individual during their treatment journey.
Risk Factors and Health Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder
If left untreated, binge eating disorder can result in several serious health consequences.
BED is often associated with obesity, which can later result in other health concerns such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Gallbladder disease
- Gastrointestinal discomfort (stomach pain, bloating, and constipation)
- Cardiovascular disease
Another common health consequence of binge eating disorder is challenges with mental health. Individuals living with BED often experience feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression which can progress over time if left untreated.
All of the health consequences listed above can affect an individual’s well-being and overall quality of life. It’s important to support individuals through their journey and make sure they seek help as soon as possible.
How Does Binge Eating Disorder Affect an Individual’s Life?
Binge eating disorder can have a profound impact on an individual’s everyday life. The physical symptoms can affect the well-being and overall quality of life. However, the emotional aspect, including the constant guilt, shame, stress, and anxiety, can be immensely challenging.
All these factors can affect an individual’s social life, result in social withdrawal, and prevent individuals from forming meaningful relationships. It’s crucial to acknowledge the impact BED can have on an individual’s life.
Prevention and Help
Although the prevention of binge eating disorders and eating disorders, in general, is a complex topic, there are a few steps everyone can take to help prevent their development.
How To Prevent It
Developing a healthy relationship towards food and building healthy eating behaviours is paramount to preventing binge eating disorder. Understanding that food provides us with the required nutrients to keep us healthy is crucial. Additionally, seeking professional help once individuals start building a negative image of their body type is also crucial.
It can be difficult to overlook the constant pressures of social media to fit into unrealistic beauty standards. Therefore, developing a body-positivity mindset is important rather than trying to achieve unrealistic body expectations.
Lastly, seeking professional help to learn how to cope with difficult emotions is also important in preventing binge eating disorder.
How To Get Help
At Unquie Community Service, we understand each person’s triggers, behaviours, and complex needs. We tailor our strategies and develop more effective coping mechanisms that assist the individual’s future efforts and independence.
The treatment journey of binge eating disorder requires immense patience, compassion, and understanding. That’s why our clinicians are always focused on helping individuals have a better quality of life and be healthier and happier in their spirit.
We can provide the accountability, support, and compassion you or your loved one deserve.
To learn better how we can help, learn more about our service and contact us.
