Binge Eating Disorder and Symptoms

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is classified as a mental health issue and is now recognised as an official diagnosis, researchers have found that depression often goes hand in hand with how food is perceived and are looking into the correlation between how brain chemicals and metabolism influence binge eating disorders. (Binge Eating Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and More)

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) can occur at any time of the day and is not about food alone, that is why it is now recognised as a psychiatric disorder (Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment) categorised by episodes of compulsive overeating or eating an inordinately large amount of food and feeling unable to stop or control this behaviour.

People suffering from BED often experience feelings of guilt, embarrassment, as well as shame, and this further impacts the existing mental health issues that are contributing to binge eating.

Bad eating habits and unhealthy relationships with food devolve into eating disorders and become toxic when a person becomes fixated with feelings that they are not worthy or good enough by the standards set out in society, this, in turn, becomes a dangerous mirror for a person predisposed to a mental health issue.

The causes of BED are likely due to a variety of risk factors including:

• Biological – up to 50% of patients seeking weight loss surgery meet the criteria for BED, meaning weight problems are both a cause and a result of BED
• Genetic predisposition to dopamine sensitivity (Genetic and environmental contributions to obesity and binge eating)
• Gender – studies have shown that while eating disorders are more common among women there is only a small margin between the genders where BED is concerned (Epidemiology of eating disorders: incidence, prevalence and mortality rates & The epidemiology and genetics of binge eating disorder (BED))
• Body image negativity from body dissatisfaction, serial dieting, and overeating
  (Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment)
• Periods of binge eating in childhood and during the teenage years
• Trauma, abuse, stress, bullying, death or loss of a loved one even an accident can be an initial trigger
• Existing mental health issues, such as phobias, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, anxiety, or substance abuse. (Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment)

As with other eating disorders, a variety of genetic, environmental, social, and psychological risks are associated with the development of BED making treatment possible if a multifaceted approach is taken to address all aspects of the disorder.

Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

BED is a complex mental health issue that doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone. Since the causes can include emotional triggers like stress or distress, a person with BED might feel a sense of release or relief during an episode, unfortunately, these feelings may be followed by feelings of intense shame at losing control.

For a diagnosis of BED to be made, your doctor may ask a few questions such as:

1. 1. Once you start eating, can you stop?
   2. How do you feel about how much you eat?
   3. Do you eat fast?
   4. Do you keep eating even after you’re uncomfortably full?
   5. Have you ever lied to someone about how much you eat?
   6. Do you want to eat alone? Why?

(Binge Eating Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and More)

People with a binge eating disorder will often try to hide their eating habits but the questions must be answered openly and honestly to determine the severity of the BED.

Once a diagnosis has been determined, BED treatment plans can be structured around the causes, triggers, and the development of healthy coping skills.

Whilst both may involve mindless eating without thinking about the reason, there are vast differences between the two:

The Dangers Associated with Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) causes significant social, emotional and physical health risks:

• Obesity due to increased calorie intake during episodes

• • Heart Disease
  • Stroke
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Cancer
    (Medical comorbidity and medical complications associated with binge-eating disorder)

• • Sleep problems

• • Chronic pain

• • Asthma

• • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• • Fertility problems

• • Pregnancy complications

• • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

• • Depression

Additionally, the cost to healthcare systems increases due to a higher rate of hospitalisation, outpatient care, and emergency department visits, compared with those who don’t have a feeding or eating disorder.

Although the health care risks may seem significant and difficult to overcome, there are several effective treatments available for BED

Medication may be used to curb the binge eating need, although cheaper than therapy, medication alone does not address the underlying mental health contributors to BED and should only be used under the care of a doctor and as part of a combination treatment.

No matter which treatment strategy or combination is used, it is important to also make healthy lifestyle and diet choices when possible. A medical professional or treatment team can offer advice on how to implement these changes. The options available range from private treatment at outpatient facilities and hospitals to in-care residential treatment centres and hospitals.

Mental disorders and binge eating disorders require compassionate treatment and support to help a person suffering from BED understand that their perception of themselves as being ‘not good enough is a false statement. A person that suffers from BED not only needs a medical treatment plan as detailed above, they also require a strong support network from loved ones to help curb and identify triggers.

In the UK the following support groups are available as long-term support networks and can also assist with putting together a treatment plan and team to assist you:
Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous (ABA)
Overeaters Anonymous Great Britain | For anyone with eating issues
Eating Disorders Anonymous – The only requirement for membership is a desire to recover from an eating disorder.