What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is where a person regularly eats a large quantity of food in a short period of time. Following this binge, it is common for some people to experience feelings of shame, guilt or distress at their lack of control regarding their binge eating. Some people who have been diagnosed with this disorder have described their binges as almost ritualistic with these episodes involving them buying particular foods. However, this is not the case for all people. Binge eating disorder is something that can affect anyone regardless of their age, gender or race.
Warning signs to look out for
If you are concerned that someone you care about might have an eating disorder, there are several warning signs you can look out for. As is the case with some of the other eating disorders, it is common for loved ones to notice changes in behaviour before they notice any physical signs. These behavioural signs can include:
- Stocking up on food
- Eating very quickly
- Not wanting to eat when around others
- Shifts in mood
The physical signs that have been associated with binge eating disorder can include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Sleeping problems
- Stomach pain
Symptoms
There are several symptoms that are commonly associated with binge eating disorder. These symptoms can include:
- Eating when you are not hungry
- Eating fast during a binge
- Secretly eating
Causes
At this moment, research has not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of binge eating disorder. However, there are several factors that increase the chances of someone developing this disorder. These include:
- Family member with history of eating disorder
- History of depression in the family
- Family history of alcohol or drug misuse
- Worried about body image, pressure from society to be slim
- Suffer from low self-esteem or anxiety
- Sexual abuse
Getting help
If you believe that you may have a binge eating disorder it is important to book an appointment with a GP as soon as possible. At this meeting they will tend to ask you questions about your eating habits, check your weight, your overall health and how you are feeling. For some people this can be difficult so it could be a good idea to take a loved one or friend with you for help and support.
In the case that you are concerned that someone close to you might have a binge eating disorder it is vital to make them aware that you are worried about them. You should also encourage them to visit a GP and offer to go with them if that’s what they want.
However, if in either of these scenarios neither of you are ready to speak to someone in person you can contact a confidential helpline. This will allow you to talk to them about everything that is affecting you in the comfort of an environment you feel safe in. A helpline dedicated to eating disorders that you can contact is run by an organisation named Beat that can be called on the following numbers, 0808 801 0677 or 0808 801 0711 for the youth helpline.
Treatment
Recovery from an eating disorder does not happen overnight, it requires time, support and commitment. With all of these ticked off and in place most people will be able to get better and make a full recovery. The treatment that is involved to get someone to this stage includes guided self-help programmes and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Guided self-help programmes consist of a person taking part in therapy sessions combined with working through a self-help book. This self-help book can be beneficial in several ways as it can guide you through a process where you will learn how to:
- Keep track of what you are eating so you can identify any patterns in behaviour that needs changing
- Create a meal plan of when you will eat as well as what you eat, this plan should be realistic as if it is not, it could potentially lead to a relapse
- Learn and identify triggers that may help you to prevent these bingeing episodes
- Find an alternative way to cope, deal and express your feelings
- Weight gain and potentially obesity can have a knock-on effect on many aspects of your life, both physically and mentally. The book can help you to find healthier ways to manage your weight
CBT is a form of therapy that aims to navigate patterns in thoughts, behaviours and feelings that could factor into the eating disorder. As with any form of treatment it is something that is tailored with your input and needs in mind. This means that the therapy can be offered as either a group session with others or a 1-to-1 session.
Impact of binge eating disorder
As stated above a person who suffers from this disorder can feel a great deal of disgust at themselves for their lack of control during and after binge eating. They are also likely to restrict their diets in the wake of these binges. When these are combined, they can be detrimental to a person’s physical and mental wellbeing as the only thing this is accomplishing is creating and reinforcing a cycle where these negative emotions will simply increase the chances of another bingeing episode.
In addition to this, weight gain is something that is common with binge eating. However, it is worth mentioning that it does not affects everybody. if a person suffering from this disorder becomes overweight it can impact their mental health as it may begin to take a toll on their self-esteem or self-confidence. As a response to this it may cause them to start isolating from their friends which will only worsen the disorder. That is not to mention the long-term physical health problems that can arise from being obese or overweight. These can include an increased chance of developing high blood pressure, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Those who have frequent binges can also suffer from a range of gastrointestinal problems. This is because during a bingeing episode a person will eat until they are uncomfortably full or feel sick. This can result in abdominal pain, bloating as well as irritable bowel syndrome.
Summary
Whether we are feeling a bit down or have had a particularly difficult day at work, it is completely normal to find comfort in food. This is something we all do from time to time. However, when this becomes more frequent and to the point where you are eating a lot of food in a short period of time and continuing even when you are full, it could be a sign that you have a binge eating disorder.
The important thing to remember is that with a strong network of support and treatment plan in place most people can recover from this binge eating disorder.
