Binge-Eating Disorder is not an affliction of the overweight or obese population. A person can have this disorder and be of average weight.
Causes
This disorder usually begins during the teen years or early twenties and can occur in both men and women. Binge eating is not always an issue with food but comes from deeper feelings of depression, anxiety, guilt, or feeling a lack of control over one’s life. The food, in this case, is the “medicine” used to soothe the underlying emotions. Those at risk for developing this disorder are those that are either predisposed to it due to family history or those that develop it from anxiety about weight or drastic attempts at dieting. Often there are other underlying issues or mental illnesses that have to be addressed for this disorder to go into remission. Binge-Eating Disorder can cause health issues that exacerbate underlying concerns and cause a form of addictive cycle. Because the stomach has such a high amount of nerve endings it is sometimes considered a second brain by those in the medical field. This is important because binge eating triggers the brain in the same way drug or alcohol use can. Due to this connection, the disorder can be difficult to treat.
Symptoms
Someone with Binge-Eating Disorder may become very skilled at hiding symptoms but there are some signs you can look for. If the person eats excessive amounts of food in one sitting or right after a large meal it may be due to this disorder. Often those with the disorder will have feelings of shame and guilt surrounding food. This may cause them to isolate themselves when eating, hoard food in their room or car, and refuse to eat meals in front of others. Similar to an alcoholic that cannot stop after the first drink, a person suffering from this disorder might lose control in situations where meals are served. When dealing with this disorder, the sufferer is usually very aware of the implications and consequences of binge eating. They are also aware of the real and perceived judgment of those present when food is being consumed. Because of this there may be feelings of disgust with oneself and long periods of fasting in an attempt to stop the bingeing behavior. This in turn only exacerbates the situation because the intense hunger causes more binge eating to occur. Binge-Eating Disorder sometimes causes rapid weight gain or no noticeable change. In some, their weight fluctuates often due to fasting for long periods or eating very few calories and then binge eating for days or weeks. In severe cases, binge eating can cause a rupture in the stomach from the amount of food being taken is surpassing the space in the stomach and the time it takes to digest appropriately. Other signs could be missing food, late night eating, or food hidden in the bedroom or other areas of the home.
Treatment
Treatment for Binge-Eating Disorder is similar to treatment for other eating disorders and addictions. If there is a clear cause for the disorder, a counselor can help the person deal with the feelings that trigger binge eating. Sometimes it is necessary to also involve a doctor and nutritionist to monitor health and help in proper meal planning. In counseling, skills required to stop the cycle of binge eating will be learned. Because this disorder does not go away on its own there are times when medication is necessary along with mental health services. No one can be forced into treatment and threats about the behavior will only lead to increased efforts to hide binges. It is important to communicate your concern for their health and not pass judgment. Offering to accompany them to counseling could help them seek help but the problem can be resistant to therapy because eating is necessary to living and the disorder involves food. There is no possibility of abstinence as is the case with other addictions and regulating food intake can be difficult. Long term counseling is often necessary and in some cases, inpatient care is required for a full recovery.
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