Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is also known as compulsive overeating and can be called a synopsis of the inherent mental illness in an affected woman. Clinical studies have reported that those affected by binge eating disorder develop acute mental problems in which elusive thinking patterns cause a person to take on unsafe eating habits, such as overeating or starving. Medical diagnosis of such behavior has been attributed to means of coping with psychological distress like depression, stress or anxiety.

Binge eating disorder is associated with uncontrollable eating in a stipulated period of time, though the affected person does not take to purging unlike anorexia or bulimia patients. They usually resort to binging on comfort foods – high in calories, fats and sugar content as they are said to work as stress- busters for depression, anxiety and related diseases. However, they end up with a feeling of guilt and shame for overeating; and in the process become more stressed.

Causes
Binge eating disorder like any other eating disorder can be caused due to biological, psychological and environmental aspects. 

Biological and genetics: Biological factors like body metabolism (which regulate the burning of the calories) and the working of the neurotransmitters in the brain (which decide the appetite level and give the feeling of fullness and hunger) can be the cause of binge eating. Again, inherent genetic traits like temperaments and mood swings can also be responsible.

Psychological: Stress, anxiety and depression are the root causes of binge eating as women in a depressed state take to comfort foods and overeating. Moreover, impulsive behavior in women like anger, sadness, boredom, anxiety or similar negative emotions can trigger an episode of binge eating.

Environmental: Certain family habits of binging can also be a turning point for an individual taking to this eating disorder. Misconceptions induced in a child to eat more in order to gain good health, can put wrong imprints in a child’s mind about eating pattern.
 
Symptoms
Overeating once in a while does not signify binge eating disorder. If the episode of binge eating makes a recurrence twice in a week for 6 months then it can be signs of a disorder. The order of binging in a person may vary from person to person. Some people starve for a long time and then binge uncontrollably. Some noticeable symptoms are:

• recurrent episodes of eating an unusually large quantity of food
• Uncontrolled feeling for eating food in more quantity
• Eating food faster than normal and until uncomfortably full
• Eating large amounts of food, even though not hungry
• Eating in seclusion to avoid embarrassment for overeating
• Feeling of shame, guilt or depression after overeating
• Feelings of low self-esteem
• Loss of sexual desire
• Frequent dieting

Diagnosis
Women suffering from binge eating disorder are generally secretive about their eating pattern. This makes diagnosis of the medical condition a little trickier. Frequent episodes of binge eating, i.e. eating an excessive amount of food within a short period of time and then; being embarrassed and guilty after overeating is one of the preliminary signs of binge eating. Clinical diagnosis of binge eating can be confirmed on

• Evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical check-up.
• Signs of depression, guilt and a sulked feeling.
• The binge eating occurs, on average, at least 2 days a week for 6 months.
• Fluctuations in weight: The patients do not purge after over eating but resort to other compulsive exercise in some cases while in many cases they are overweight.
• Feelings of self-disgust and shame associated with this illness can lead to bingeing again, creating a cycle of binge eating.
• Alcohol and drug abuse history
• Impulsive behavior

Prevention
Binge eating disorder if continued for a longer period can cause related chronic problems caused due to obesity like

• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Shortness of breath
• Gallbladder disease
• Irregular menstruation
• Decreased mobility (inability to move around) and tiredness
• Insomnia

The most successful prevention method for this disorder is psychological and nutritional counseling for the affected person so as to make the patient understand the ill-effects of binging.

Treatment
Treatment of binge eating disorder is possible if and only the woman affected by it is given support by family and friends. Since the goal of treatment for binge eating disorder is to help the person gain control over his or her eating behavior, counseling is considered the most methodical form of treatment which involves a combination of the following strategies:

Psychotherapy: This is a personalized counseling session that focuses on the cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy of a person with an eating disorder, while simultaneously developing healthy attitudes toward food and weight related issues. Even family and friends can prove to be the best support. But it’s the responsibility of close associates to get the patient treated.

Nutrition counseling: This strategy is designed to help restore normal eating patterns, and to teach the importance of nutrition and a balanced diet.