Getting Help For Binge Eating Disorder BED

Binge eating disorders are eating disorders wherein an individual feels constantly compelled to over-eat.

Binge eating disorder (BED) constantly compels an individual to over-eat. It is by far one of the most common types of eating disorders. Typically individuals with a compulsive eating disorder will consume large volumes of food in relatively short periods of time and feel guilt or shame after the meal.

Uninformed observers often regard BED as a habit that is only food-related and due to lack of willpower or ill discipline. In reality, it is a complex, debilitating psychological disorder over which the affected person has very little or no control. Healing it usually requires collaboration between medical practitioners, psychotherapists and qualified dieticians.

Diagnostic Qualification of BED

Binge eating disorder is not associated with purgative actions like self-induced vomiting, using laxatives or exercising. It can be diagnosed when at least three of the following symptoms exist:

1. Eating more rapidly than normal
2. Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
3. Excessive eating when not feeling hungry
4. Eating alone to avoid embarrassment
5. Lack of control over the eating episode
6. Feeling guilty or ashamed afterwards

In addition to the above, binge eating episodes must occur at least once a week for three months before it can be diagnosed as a disorder.

What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?

Some common causes of BED include:

• Genetics: A family history of BED, indicating inherited genes being passed on to subsequent generations.
• Brain functions: Malfunctioning neurotransmitters and an imbalance of brain chemicals can cause warped neural signals and unexpected mental processes leading to BED.
• Trauma: Similar to alcohol abuse, food can be abused to soothe distress caused by physical or mental trauma. Food can stimulate the release of hormones that numb pain and make you feel good.
• Dieting: Restricting food intake leads to hunger that can trigger a binge eating session. Repetitive binge eating sessions, triggered by dieting, can eventually manifest as BED.
• Social influences: Society and the media associate popularity and success with leanness. This causes weight consciousness and widespread dieting, and can, paradoxically, cause binge eating.
• Environment: An unpleasant living environment, such as poverty stricken or crime ridden areas, or unpleasant relationships with co-inhabitants, can trigger BED as an escape mechanism.
• Hidden disorders: Undetected emotional disorders, dating from earlier times, can cause uncontrollable distress and lead to binge eating, in order to trigger brain chemicals that make you feel better.

In addition to underlying emotional disorders that invoke binge eating, and unpleasant feelings generated by the eating pattern itself, binge eating usually leads to being overweight, which burdens BED sufferers with even more physical and emotional complications.

Signs of Binge Eating Disorder

Prevalent signs include:

• Traces or evidence of secret binge eating
• Exploiting opportunities for solitary eating
• Preoccupied with weight and body shape
• Preoccupation with diets and dietary fads
• Food-related discussions and complaints
• Cravings for and avoidance of certain foods
• Picking certain foods based on calorie count
• Withdrawal from friends and usual activities
• Frequent signs of anxiety and guilt feelings
• Expressing feelings of low self-esteem
• Excessive food shopping excursions

Consequences of BED

The most common consequences include:

• Weight problems: Binge eating causes corpulence with many accompanying stressors.
• Social isolation: Being overweight and binge eating inspires efforts to be alone and to eat alone.
• Relationship issues: Tensions caused by BED often spill over into interpersonal relationships.
• Employment issues: Productivity and relationships with coworkers are often affected by BED.
• Physical illnesses: Many ailments are associated with being overweight. Diets add more problems.
• Mental disorders: The issues created by BED invoke new disorders, including substance abuse.
• Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression and other emotional problems are common daily issues.

Treatment options for BED

Treatment involves the recommended cooperation of three different entities:

Medical treatment: Doctors and hospitals can cure physical ailments sprouting from the disorder and, if necessary, prescribe psychiatric medication for extreme emotions like anxiety and depression.

Nutritional planning: Sudden changes in eating patterns and types of food can cause physical and emotional complications. A qualified dietitian should design a recovery diet for the affected person.

Psychotherapy: The root cause of BED is psychological and should be treated by a qualified psychologist or therapist with extensive experience of the disorder. Residential rehabilitation centres are recommended as the most efficient recovery environments. They can also prepare nutritional meals prescribed by dieticians.

There is a frequently held view that eating disorder problems are simply lifestyle choice. Eating disorder problems are in fact significant and also potential fatal disorder that cause extreme disturbances to a person's food intake habits and overall wellbeing. Over obsession with food, body weight, and body shape may likewise indicate a form of eating disorder. Usual eating conditions include anorexia, bulimia nervosa, and also binge-eating disorder.

Binge eating disorders (BED) is by far one of the most common types of eating disorders. Typically individuals suffering with a compulsive eating disorder will consume large volumes of food in relatively short periods of time and then subsequently feel guilt or shame after the meal.

Eating Disorder Treatment Services

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Eating disorder treatment is determined by the type of disorder and the symptoms you are experiencing. It typically includes a combination of psychological counselling or psychotherapy, nutrition instruction, medical monitoring, and, in some cases, medication.

Other health issues caused by an eating disorder must also be addressed as part of eating disorder therapy, as they can be severe or even fatal if left untreated for too long. If your eating disorder does not improve with conventional treatment or poses a health risk, you may require hospitalization or another type of inpatient program.

A systematic approach to eating disorder treatment can assist you in managing symptoms, regaining a healthy weight, and maintaining your physical and emotional health.