What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a severe but treatable eating disorder characterized by intermittent episodes of excessive food consumption followed by feelings of shame, distress, or guilt. It is the most common eating disorder in the United States and is one of the newest eating disorders formally recognized in the DSM-5. If left untreated, binge eating disorder can cause serious, life-threatening physical and psychological consequences. However, with proper, timely intervention, recovery can be achieved.
by: Sadie Grant
Binge Eating Disorder
When we hear the phrase “eating disorder”, we often imagine a young, emaciated woman. Unfortunately, our culture’s weight stigma has affected the way we think about eating disorders. While images and narratives from popular media tend to focus on anorexia and bulimia among thin women, the spectrum of disordered eating and eating disorders have many different characteristics and can affect all genders and body types. In fact, the most common eating disorder in the United States is binge eating disorder (BED). Although binge eating disorder may be less well known, it can be just as distressing and destructive as more stereotypical eating disorders. In the following, we will delve into the characteristic symptoms and health issues associated with binge eating disorder, then discuss some of the roads to recovery.
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of overeating that are not followed by compensatory behaviors (such as purging), and are paired with feelings of disgust or shame. Oftentimes, individuals with binge eating disorder gain weight as a result of their eating behaviors, further exacerbating negative feelings related to body image. These emotional symptoms frequently trigger binge episodes, creating a vicious cycle.
Common behavioral symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder include:
Eating an unusually large quantity of food within a discrete period of time
Eating faster than usual
Eating until uncomfortably full
Eating without being hungry
Eating in isolation (due to feelings of embarrassment or shame)
Eating normally while with others but binging when alone
Common emotional/psychophysical symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder include:
Feeling a lack of control during binge episodes
Feeling disgusted or guilty
Experiencing food as a relief from feelings of stress and anxiety
Experiencing numbness while binging
Never feeling satiated no matter how much food is eaten
What are some of the potential consequences of Binge Eating Disorder?
Behavioral and emotional symptoms of binge eating disorder often interact with and intensify one another, leading to potentially serious physical and mental health issues. Potential health outcomes include:
Weight fluctuation
Gastrointestinal issues (i.e., stomach cramps, constipation, etc.)
Difficulty concentrating
Clinical “obesity”, which can lead to weight stigma and weight cycling
Cardiovascular issues
Type 2 Diabetes
Sleep complications
Gallbladder disease
High blood pressure
Pain in muscles/joints
Feelings of shame and depression
Lower self-esteem
Binge Eating Disorder Recovery
Support from health professionals is the best way to untangle the physical, psychological, and social factors that can lead to and sustain binge eating disorder. Treatment programs that involve the work of psychiatrists, nutritionists, and therapists help address both underlying and primary causes of the problem.
Because recovering from binge eating disorder (like other eating disorders) often involves healing from emotional triggers and establishing better emotional coping skills, therapy is a key component of treatment. Some helpful forms of therapy for treating binge eating disorder include:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - CBT focuses on the relationship between cognitions/perceptions/feelings and behavior. CBT for binge eating disorder may involve learning about causes and consequences, developing coping strategies, and creating meal plans.
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) - IPT aims to identify and improve interpersonal problems. Unraveling the nature of family and peer relationships has been shown to help individuals with eating disorders to develop better self-esteem and body image.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) - DBT includes elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy but also teaches mindfulness and emotional regulation skills. DBT can help individuals learn how to better deal with stress and gain control over negative emotions.
• Group Therapy & Eating Disorder Support Groups - These types of groups are led by trained therapists and typically include aspects of other forms of therapy, such as CBT or DBT.
Certain medications have also been shown to reduce some of the frequency and intensity of binge episodes. However, medications that have been used to treat binge eating disorder can have serious side effects. Ultimately, therapy is the key form of treatment to uncovering and working through the central causes of binge eating disorder. As difficult, distressing, and confusing as it can be to have an eating disorder, recovery is always possible.
At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center, we treat the spectrum of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. BALANCE offers four distinct levels of care to meet your specific treatment needs including a day program, intensive outpatient program, step-down groups, and individual nutrition services. Our programs integrate behavioral, psychodynamic, and experiential groups, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), individual therapy sessions, and so much more! Contact us below for more information.
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Intern, Sadie Grant.
Sadie is a recent graduate of Oberlin College with a B.A. in psychology. After recovering from disordered eating, Sadie became passionate about eating disorder awareness, body neutrality, and destabilizing beauty standards that are established by social and cultural norms. While earning her Bachelor’s degree, Sadie conducted quantitative research, worked with populations experiencing barriers to essential services, and studied Spanish. Sadie hopes to use her developing research and interpersonal skills to work in the field of eating disorders and address the way in which expectations around eating and beauty vary across different populations.
References
Binge Eating Disorder. (2018, February 22). Retrieved June 12, 2020, from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/by-eating-disorder/bed
Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Articles. (2020, January 03). Retrieved June 12, 2020, from https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/binge-eating-disorder
Eating Disorder Treatment and Eating Disorder Therapies. (2018, August 17). Retrieved June 15, 2020, from https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/types-of-treatments