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showBinge eating disorder or BED is a very common eating disorder. People with binge eating disorder tend to consume large quantities of food within a short span or until they are painfully full [1].
About 0.3% of men and 1.5% of women worldwide are affected by it [2]. It is more common in adolescents and could can bring about deadly physical as well as psychological conditions if left untreated.
Moreover, if you develop this condition, it will most likely accompany shame, disgust, guilt or overeating and not being able to control it. Eventually, you may find yourself isolating yourself from friends, family and social activities and pursuing various dietary practices to get rid of overeating or overcompensating.
Symptoms | Episodes of binge eating, eating quicker than usual, eating when not hungry, fear of public eating, etc. |
Complications | Multiple medical comorbidities such as diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disorders, etc. |
Causes | Genes, emotional and mental health, social and cultural factors, negative perception of body image, etc. |
Onset | It can start at any age, but the most common age of onset is during adolescence |
Diagnosis | Psychological evaluation, lab tests, general physical examination, X-rays, etc. |
Prevention | Exercise, healthy diet, reducing stress, therapy, etc. |
Medication | Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy, pharmacotherapy, medicines such as topiramate and zonisamide, armodafinil, etc. |
Here is a detailed overview of binge eating infection, its symptoms, types, causes, complications and treatment are given below. Please give it a read.
Binge eating disorder can often be difficult to identify as most people seem to hide it due to embarrassment or shame. However, you are likely to have this condition if you have binged at least once every week for three consecutive months.
There are some distinct common binge eating symptoms, and you may have at least three of them. These include [3]:
Other signs to look out for are:
Although the exact cause or underlying triggers behind binge eating disorder have not been discovered, it is believed to rise from a mix of several factors. Some of the most likely binge eating causes include [4]:
Binge eating disorder itself is a type of eating disorder and has no further sub-types. Apart from binge eating, there are other disorders such as [5]:
Binge eating disorder is a type of eating disorder that is heavily associated with our psychological health as well as social and lifestyle factors. Therefore, in many cases, this disease is mistaken for regular overeating.
However, if you experience the symptoms mentioned above, you must go for a diagnostic examination immediately. In case you are diagnosed with binge eating disorder, your treatment must start immediately as it may slowly develop other complications.
To get effective treatment, you must consult a certified medical professional, including a dietician as well as a psychologist or psychiatrist, to help you through the process.
Binge eating is one of the most prevalent eating disorders that is often mistaken as regular overeating. Therefore, before going into the diagnostic tests, you must understand the criteria that the condition has to meet to be labelled as BED.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM-5) added binge eating in their manual in 2013 as released by the American Psychiatric Association. According to DSM-5, there are specific and consistent diagnostic features that an individual with the condition must have. They mainly include the following [6]:
Apart from these one must have at least three of the following:
However, there are a few ways the doctor can diagnose this disease. They include the following [4] [7] [8]:
In this process, a clinical counsellor or therapist will ask you about your eating behaviour, physical symptoms, mental and emotional conditions, etc. to understand how your eating habits are affecting your lifestyle.
They will also ask if you have the specific signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder to eliminate the chances of other related eating disorders.
Lab tests generally include:
Physical exams may include tests like:
Sometimes, doctors may run some other tests such as X-rays, electrocardiograms, etc. to evaluate the conditions and function of your heart. This is because one of the most common complications of binge eating is developing heart disease. It also helps them to understand and plan your dietary charts accordingly.
Multiple studies have shown that the remission rate for binge eating is higher than for other eating disorders and shows an improved prognosis [9]. For instance, only in very rare cases, binge eating converts to other eating disorders. A few studies show that binge eating could migrate to disorders such as bulimia nervosa. In addition, long-term binge eating may lead to major mental health conditions like depression and substance abuse tendencies.
Moreover, in the case of adolescents and young women, binge eating may be the cause of excessive weight gain. Hence, it significantly increases the risk of obesity-related issues such as metabolic syndrome.
Usually, a treatment goal is set before deciding which type of treatment to go for. This plan is done after discussing with the dietician and the doctor managing your case [9].
Your treatment goals may include addressing the following:
Once a goal has been set, here are the following treatment types available for binge eating:
The most common and initial treatment for binge eating is psychotherapy, preferred due to its high effectiveness. Generally, these are of three types:
CBT is a group or individual therapy session that you may receive from a self-help programme or a medical professional. Speaking to a therapist as part of CBT may help you analyse your thoughts, emotions, and behaviour patterns that may be fuelling the eating addiction.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy is most effective to help you develop a regular eating schedule and plan the meals and snacks you should consume throughout the day [#reference_10]. In addition, it helps to identify the factors that lead to bingeing, minimise your negative self-image, and adhere to your new dietary habits to avoid a recurrence.
In this treatment plan, you will be educated by a clinical professional about how you can manage and regulate emotions associated with binge eating. In addition, dialectical behavioural therapy helps you to balance your thinking and behaviour leading to bingeing and developing skills such as [9]:
This is a type of psychotherapy that places patients one-on-one or in a group. It focuses mainly on your emotional ability to reduce binge eating rather than reducing body weight. This therapy is often provided alongside CBT for those who have more critical psychopathological issues such as social anxiety, low self-esteem, perfectionism, etc.
Moreover, this therapy will help you connect with an interpersonal region that is associated with binge eating using constructive changes or experimentation.
Pharmacotherapy is essential for people who cannot access psychotherapy, or do not support them and rely more on medication. The medications mainly used for binge eating include the following:
Some of the common side effects that you may experience from the medications are:
Weight loss treatment may be necessary or helpful when your binge eating has led to severe weight gain or obesity. It includes a well-monitored plan combining light to moderate exercise and a healthy diet.
Apart from these, medications may be used for short-term weight loss such as orlistat, benzphetamine, phentermine, diethylpropion, etc.
Since binge eating disorder is more of a psychological and behavioural condition, the best way to prevent its recurrence is through counselling to cope and control the episodes of binge eating. In addition, one must be aware of the binge episodes and identify them as not regular overeating. This can largely help reduce the cycle of bingeing and guilt later.
To prevent the vicious cycle of binge eating, one must do the following [9]:
Binge eating comes with multiple disorders, starting from minor illnesses to major heart diseases. Here is a list of complications that may arise from binge eating if left unaddressed [9]:
The cost of binge eating treatment depends on the type of treatment you opt for. For instance, counselling and therapy such as CBT in India can cost you anywhere from Rs.5,000 to Rs.50,000, depending on how many sessions you require and the kind of clinic you choose. Moreover, if your treatment plans include medication, the costs may go even higher accordingly.
A number of psychological and physical problems are linked to binge eating, causing mild to severe impacts on everyday life. Besides, if you leave it untreated, they might develop serious health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, cancer, etc. So, if you experience the symptoms discussed earlier, you must check with a licensed medical professional.
Managing binge eating disorder and the associated comorbidities can get very costly. Thanks to Navi Health Insurance, now you can get cashless treatments at Navi’s network hospitals and enjoy unlimited online consultations and a host of other perks for premiums starting at just Rs.234 per month. Get a quote now!
The main difference between bulimia and binge eating is that people with bulimia purge after they binge, whereas people with binge eating disorders usually don’t. Purging refers to resorting to several ways using laxatives, doing extreme exercises, or vomiting in order to lose the weight they gain. On the other hand, binge eaters, though feel guilt and disgust after bingeing, they do not purge to lose the excess body weight.
The 6 main kinds of eating disorders include the following: Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa Pica Binge eating disorder Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) Rumination disorder
In India, there is not sufficient data or medical reports to show for eating disorders. However, data from the US have been found that reports binge eating to be the most common eating disorder prevalent there, especially among adolescent females
The main characteristics that people with binge eating disorders will exhibit at least once a week for three straight months include the following: Consuming food faster than normal or till one is uncomfortably full Consuming food away from others due to embarrassment Eating large amounts of food even when not hungry, and feeling repulsed, despondent, or guilty following a binge.
The most common bingeing effects are gastrointestinal, which include, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, etc. Some may also experience tiredness, sleepiness, sluggishness, low energy, acid reflux, heartburn, cramping, diarrhoea, etc.
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/bed
https://journals.lww.com/co-psychiatry/Abstract/2021/11000/Epidemiology_of_binge_eating_disorder__prevalence,.3.aspx
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003265.htm
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders
https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-in/professional/psychiatric-disorders/eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder#v1027756
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/binge-eating-disorder/diagnosis-treatment
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/binge-eating/overview/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551700/
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