Binge eating is a serious eating disorder that causes people to consumer large amounts of food regularly. Similar to overeating, such as that which many people take part in during holidays in which second and third helpings of meals are eaten, binge eating is performed over and over again and is usually kept a secret by the binge eater.
People who suffer from binge eating may try to hide the fact that they over eat on a regular basis. Binge eaters may even vow to stop binging on food but they cannot figure out how to stop overeating. Binge eating is marked by urges and obsessions with food that cause the binge eater to keep overeating no matter how hard they try to stop.
Binge eating disorder is not considered a psychiatric condition the way many other eating disorders are classified such as anorexia or bulimia. Although it is not considered a psychiatric condition, there are treatments for binge eating that can help people who suffer from this serious eating disorder to learn how to eat proportioned meals.
Binge Eating Symptoms
Various behavioral and emotional symptoms may be present in a person who suffers from binge eating disorder. People who suffer from binge eating disorder will eat excessively and they consume very large amounts of food. Binge eaters will even eat more food once they are already full or if they do not feel hungry.
Many binge eaters will have feelings of depression or anxiety associated with their eating habits. They may feel like their eating behavior is completely out of control but they still cannot stop binging on food. People with binge eating disorder will usually eat alone because they are disgusted with their actions or eating habits and do not want others to feel the same way about them. After binging on food, binge eaters may try to go on a diet or to eat normally but this most always fails and leads to another binge.
Binge Eating Disorder Causes
Although the causes of binge eating are unknown it is perceived that there may be various different factors that actually play a role in binge eating. Biological, psychological and environmental factors are all considered possible causes of binge eating disorders.
People who suffer from binge eating disorder may have certain genetic or biological factors that make them susceptible to binge eating. Studies show that people with binge eating disorder may also have changed chemical compositions in their brain that cause the eating disorder. These biological factors are just one factor that takes part in determining a persons likelihood of suffering from an eating disorder such as binge eating.
Certain psychological factors may also play a role in a persons likelihood of having an eating disorder such as binge eating disorder. Thoughts and emotions affect the way that people eat and can result in various eating disorder such as binge eating. People who suffer from binge eating disorder may have low self-esteem or difficulty controlling their behaviors. Binge eaters may also find it difficult to express their emotions or to manage their moods.
Various environmental factors affect the likelihood of a person suffering from binge eating. In a world where modern culture reinforces a desire for thinness, people are faced with many different perceptions of what is beautiful and what is not. This along with other environmental factors may play a role in an individual’s perception of themselves and can contribute to the eating disorder.
Although anyone can develop an eating disorder there are certain factors that place a person at a higher risk of developing binge eating disorder. Females are slightly more likely than men to have a binge eating disorder but men do suffer from this condition as well. Most people who suffer from binge eating disorder will first show signs of the disorder in late adolescence and into their early 20s making younge people more at risk than older adults.
Treatment for Binge Eating at Eating Disorder Rehab Centers
Binge eating disorder treatment focuses on reducing the binges and helping the individual who suffers from the eating disorder to lose weight. Psychological and emotional issues are also addressed at eating disorder rehab centers to help the binge eater to improve their emotional well-being, self image and to reverse any negative emotions that are associated with their eating disorder or self esteem.
Various types of treatment for binge eating are offered at eating disorder rehab centers. The most common types of treatment for binge eating include psychotherapy, medication, weight loss programs, and self help strategies. Eating disorder rehab centers may provide group conseling sessions or one on one therapy depending on the individual with the binge eating disorder and the severity of the disorder. In most cases, treatment for binge eating is a combination of all four types of treatment.
Psychotherapy is a common form of treatment for binge eating that includes cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy. Psychotherapy offered at eating disorder rehab centers can help people who suffer from binge eating to learn how to change their unhealthy eating behaviors into healthier habits. This can help patients to reduce the instances of binge eating.
Although there is no specific medication that treats binge eating, there are some medications that may help to reduce the symptoms of the eating disorder so that the individual can better benefit from counseling and other therapy. Eating disorder rehab centers may prescribe antidepressants and anti obesity medications to help with the treatment of binge eating disorder. These medications are rarely provided alone and are usually combined with therapy for the best treatment outcomes.
Various weight loss programs exist to help people with eating disorders like binge eating. Although a weight loss program is not recommended until the binge eating disorder has been properly treated for fear of triggering another binge eating episode, many eating disorder rehab centers will provide outpatient counseling on weight loss for people who have already finished initial treatment for binge eating disorder.
Eating disorder rehab centers may also help people who suffer from binge eating disorder by providing them with the necessary resources to learn about and improve their disorder on their own. Various self help books and videos have been proven effective at helping people who suffer from binge eating disorder. Professional treatment for binge eating is always recommended but self help is also an excellent choice for follow up or continued care.
