Binge Eating Disorder: What You Need To Know
@ Remuda Ranch Eating Disorder Treatment Center Staff
May 1, 2003
Binge eating is not what families do at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner; it is not having a second dish of ice cream because it's your favorite flavor; it's not over-indulging in fried chicken while visiting someone down South.
Binge eating is a serious disorder that affects 3-5% of American men and women. Binge eating involves consuming a great deal of food, in an uncontrolled and/or rapid manner, and eating beyond the point of fullness. Binge eating is not motivated by physiological hunger. It is driven by psychological issues, such as fear of failure or rejection, unmet expectations, or feeling inadequate. Binges may be spontaneous or planned. No purging is involved, but there may be sporadic fasting or repeat dieting. To have the diagnosis of binge-eating disorder, the behavior must occur at least twice a week for six months. But even with less frequency, binge eating can be a serious problem.
There are many emotional and physical consequences to bingeing. Immediately after a binge, feelings of shame, self-hatred, anxiety, and depression are common. Physical discomfort and gastrointestinal distress frequently occur due to the high volume of food ingested. The person may experience lethargy and fatigue. Continuing in the behavior for months or years intensifies feelings of depression, anger, sadness, and loneliness. Social isolation occurs from the amount of time required to execute and recover from bingeing. Extreme shame usually surrounds this disorder, meaning it must be done in private. Perhaps the most critical consequence of binge eating is unwanted weight gain. While some maintain a normal weight, most individuals who routinely binge eat become overweight or obese, which often results in medical complications. These include cardiovascular disease; high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides; and adult-onset diabetes. If the food consumed is high in fat, individuals may also develop gout.
In dealing with this disorder, consider the following:
Evaluate your beliefs about the purpose of eating. There are two reasons to eat: nourishment and enjoyment. Food meets the body's requirements and provides enjoyment. Both need to be present in balance. With binge eating, the potential exists for neither to be present. Often, the type of food ingested is not beneficial to the body and is not enjoyed.
Acknowledge that there may be a problem. Look closely at the behavior and ask: "Am I eating for reasons other than nourishing my body or enjoyment?" Then, consider what needs you are trying to meet through food.
Don't diet. Especially if overweight, individuals with binge eating may turn to dieting. This is a mistake, since dieting involves restriction, which leads to feelings of deprivation, which in turn leads to bingeing. Instead, try to reconnect with your body's signals of hunger and fullness. If a desire to eat is present, ask yourself: "Am I really hungry?" If not, try to gain understanding about why you want to eat when not hungry. Could it be loneliness, anger, frustration, or depression?
Seek help. A therapist or counselor can help you get to the "whys" of your eating behavior and find new ways of dealing with the emotions that underlie the behavior. Therapists who use cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques are usually the most successful. If medical complications exist, consult a physician. To learn about or return to healthy eating and to plan appropriate and enjoyable exercise, you might want to see a dietician. Finally, if counseling is going slowly, it may be useful to consult a psychiatrist, since there are newer medication combinations that appear promising in reducing binge eating.
Recent studies suggest that binge eating responds well if treated. There is therefore much hope for people who are struggling with this problem. If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, please contact Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating and Anxiety Disorders at 1-800-445-1900.
