Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

Signs

• Periodically does not exercise control over consumption of food.
• Eats an unusually large amount of food at one time, far more than a normal person would eat in the same amount of time.
• Eats much more quickly during binge episodes than during normal eating episodes.
• Eats until physically uncomfortable and nauseated due to the amount of food just consumed.
• Eats when depressed or bored.
• Eats large amounts of food even when not really hungry.
• Usually eats alone during binge eating episodes, in order to avoid discovery of the disorder.
• Often eats alone during periods of normal eating, owing to feelings of embarrassment about food.
• Feels disgusted, depressed, or guilty after binge eating.
• Rapid weight gain, and/or sudden onset of obesity.

Complications

Weight gain, obesity, depression, malnourishment, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, gallbladder disease, heart disease, cancer.

What is binge eating disorder?

BED is the most common eating disorder and in the US alone it affects 3.5% of females and 2% of males, it's prevalent in up to 30% of those seeking weight loss treatment.

It was first described in 1959 by Albert Stunkard as “Night Eating Syndrome” before the term Binge Eating Disorder was coined. It is still not classified as a separate eating disorder though.

Dieting

People who are not overweight should avoid dieting because it sometimes makes their binge eating worse. Dieting here means skipping meals, not eating enough calories each day, or avoiding certain kinds of food, such as carbohydrates or fats. Many people with binge eating disorder are obese and have health problems because of their weight. People with binge eating disorder who are obese may find it harder to stay in a weight-loss program. They also may lose less weight than other people, and may regain weight more quickly due to a slowing of the metabolism. (This can be worse when they also have problems like depression, trouble controlling their behavior, and problems dealing with other people.) These people may need treatment for binge eating disorder before they try to lose weight. Dieting is usually not successful for those with BED, as they will usually gain back all of the weight lost, and sometimes more. Those with BED have more difficulty adhering to traditional weight-loss treatment.

Treatment

Physicians, nutritionists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers and the Overeaters Anonymous' 12-step program is the most effective when it comes to treating binge eating. Since it's not recognized as a psychiatric disorder it's difficult to obtain insurance reimbursement for treatments.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy and drug therapy is also known to help some binge eaters.

Researchers are still trying to find the most effective way to beat the disorder, though so far these above seem to be equally helpful.