Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
Treatment for BED can be crucial in reducing the lifetime prevalence of the disorder, that is, reducing the likelihood one will struggle with BED behaviors for their lifetime.
As with most eating disorders, the number one, evidence-based treatment recommended is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy . One study notes that CBT has higher abstinence, is well-tolerated, and maintains remission for 1 or 2 years . CBT focuses on the impact that beliefs and thoughts have on subsequent feelings and behaviors, encouraging individuals to alter their core beliefs and thoughts in a way that then alters their behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is also recommended, as it was created for individuals that struggle with emotion regulation, which is also correlated with BED. DBT focuses on how one can regulate their emotional states, tolerate distress, exist within the present moment, and communicate needs to others. All of these skills work effectively to reduce BED symptoms as well as the symptoms of disorders that often co-occur with BED.
Regardless of the theoretical orientation to treatment, the key is to receive treatment at all. Of course, be a conscious consumer and do not be afraid to ask your treatment team if they are using the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatments and, if they are not, why they are not. Even so, the likelihood of individual achieving remission of BED symptoms and recovery increases with any type of mental health treatment.
Mindful Eating And Bed
When it comes to eating, binge eating disorder may appear to be a food-related problem only. However, mindfulness teaches the practice or state of conscious awareness of oneself, the present moment, thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Integrating mindfulness techniques in binge eating disorder treatment has been shown to reduce binge eating, improve nutritional outcomes, improve weight management, as well as enhance diabetes management.
Take Excellent Care Of Yourself
Demonstrate self-acceptance and kindness to yourself. Avoid making any negative comments about your own eating or weight. Strive to maintain a healthy body based on sound nutrition, moderate exercise and a holistic approach to your health. The example you set will likely inspire and encourage your loved one to do the same.
Loving and supporting our close friends and family members through challenges is part of how we develop deep and meaningful bonds.
Your ability to respectfully and compassionately stand by your loved one is a gift that they will undoubtedly appreciate. They will be better able to accept, deal with and recover from binge eating disorder when they know you are a positive and supportive person in their life.
Even though it can be painful to accept that someone we loved in dealing with binge eating disorder, it is an exceptional opportunity for you to shine through your understanding and support.
About the author:
Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC Founder & Director
Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC founded Eating Disorder Hope in 2005, driven by a profound desire to help those struggling with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder. This passion resulted from her battle with, and recovery from, an eating disorder. As president, Jacquelyn manages Ekern Enterprises, Inc. and the Eating Disorder Hope website. In addition, she is a fully licensed therapist with a closed private counseling practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders.
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Binge Eating Disorder According To The Dsm
The DSM-5 specifies diagnostic criteria that one must meet for a full diagnosis of a mental disorder. For BED, the following criteria are required for diagnosis:
- Eating, in a discrete period of time , an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances.
- A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode .
- Eating much more rapidly than normal.
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
- Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry.
- Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating.
- Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterward.
Characteristics Of Binge Eating
Binge Eating Disorder has also been known as:
- Compulsive overeating
- Food addiction
While these eating terms do overlap in meaning, Binge-Eating Disorder has its own clinical definition.;
This is based on the tremendous amount of scientific research on binge eating disorder, with careful consideration being given to the clinical definition of binge eating.
Well cover the clinical definition shortly, but in order to keep things simple here are the four main characteristics of Binge Eating Disorder:
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What You Can Do
Talk to an eating disorder specialist, psychiatrist, or psychologist right away if you think you may have BED. Early treatment gives you a better chance to beat it.
Your therapist will ask about your eating habits and your emotions and help you decide on a plan. Psychological therapy, or talk therapy, can turn your relationship with food into a healthy one again.
You may learn how to get rid of negative thoughts so you can change your behavior. Therapy also can help you deal with stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues that may trigger the problem.
Binge Eating Disorder And Loved Ones
If someone you love is struggling with Binge Eating Disorder, it can be a scary and difficult time for everyone involved. If your loved one is displaying any of the signs and symptoms mentioned above, seek help immediately. Early detection and intervention may increase the likelihood of recovery. It is also important that you, the family and friends of someone experiencing an eating disorder, get help and support for yourselves. Please consider attending family therapy and/or a family and friends support group. The Alliance is here to support you, too. Visit our page for loved ones to find out more about helping a loved one through an eating disorder, or sign up for our virtual friends and family support group here.
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Diagnostic Criteria For Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder introduced in 2013 in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . Although newly recognized as a distinct;disorder, it is the most common eating disorder and is more common than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
A nationally representative face-to-face household survey of nearly ten thousand respondents determined that 2.3% of females and 0.8% of males will develop binge eating disorder.
Approximately 40% of those with binge eating disorder are male. BED often begins in the late teens or early 20s, although it has been reported in young children as well as older adults.
Binge eating disorder is sometimes mischaracterized as;food addiction, which is not a recognized psychiatric disorder.;While a large number of people with binge eating disorder are overweight, BED can also occur in people who are normal weight.
As most people who are overweight or have obesity do not have BED, it is important not to conflate obesity with binge eating disorder.
While many people may think of binge eating disorder as a less serious disorder than anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, it can be severe, debilitating, and even life-threatening.;
Some Of The More Common Signs Of Binge Eating Disorder Are:
If someone is developing binge eating disorder, often changes in behaviour are noticeable before changes to physical appearance. Signs include:
- Buying lots of food
- Organising life around bingeing episodes
- Hoarding food
- Compromise of education and employment plans
Binge eating disorder is a mental illness, and you might notice changes in the way you or someone you know feels before physical symptoms become obvious. Psychological signs include:
- Spending a lot or most of their time thinking about food
- A sense of being out of control around food, or a loss of control over eating
- Feeling anxious and tense, especially over eating in front of others
- Low confidence and self-esteem
- Feelings of shame and guilt after bingeing
- Other mental illnesses, such as depression or anxiety
There are several physical consequences associated with binge eating disorder:
- Tiredness
- Poor skin condition
Like any eating disorder, binge eating disorder can have long-term physical effects, some of which may be permanent. These include:
- Obesity
- Damage to the oesophagus and stomach
- Arthritis
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Skip Topics About Weight Body Image And Appearance
You might be tempted to say positive comments about her weight or body image as you think that it can make her feel good. But such comments that you think are harmless can trigger her self-doubt and shame. Dont try to flatter her with things like Youve lost weight or Youre not fat, are you sure you have an eating disorder? Stay away from topics that will make her feel bad about her body.
Unscientific Mental Health Training
Some observers perceive a gap between scientific theory and its applicationâin particular, the application of unsupported or unsound clinical practices. Critics say there has been an increase in the number of mental health training programs that do not instill scientific competence. Practices such as ” for infantile autism”; memory-recovery techniques including ; and other therapies, such as and , may be dubious or even dangerous, despite their popularity. These practices, however, are outside the mainstream practices taught in clinical psychology doctoral programs.
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What Is Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is defined as eating large quantities of food, where one feels they do not have control while they binge eat. Binge eating is not an isolated incident and can reoccur many times. This disorder can lead to feelings of guilt and shame and can even be life threatening.
Binge eating disorder affects more women than men. This disorder usually presents in the late teens or early 20s; yet, anyone at any age can develop this disorder.
Binge Eating Disorder Introduction :
BED is a common type of eating disorder. Around 2% of people are affected by this throughout the world. This is associated with high cholesterol levels and diabetes.
Eating disorders are psychiatric disorders, its not based on only food. People exhibit this mostly to cope up with trauma, anxiety, depression.
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Other Signs You Have Binge Eating Disorder
The above criteria are used to clinically define Binge Eating Disorder.
However, we all know that eating is on a spectrum that can swing throughout the day.;
You may struggle with eating, even though technically not having Binge Eating Disorder.;
For example, in the quiz above, I talk about stress eating, emotional eating and compulsive eating.;
This is just meant to highlight the spectrum of problematic eating disorder behaviors, even though these eating disorder behaviors arent technically within the definition of Binge Eating Disorder.
And you may not be aware of them.; Sometimes family members, loved ones and friends may have to point these behaviors out to you before you can admit that you have a problem with food.
Some of the eating disorder behaviors and signs your loved ones may point out, or you become aware of on your own, include:;
- Not eating certain foods like carbs, fats or sugars
- Obsessively staring in the mirror
- Afraid to eat with friends, family or in public
- Dieting, yo yo dieting, regaining weight from dieting
- Eating alone oftentimes because of embarrassment or fear that you will lose control
- Feeling depressed, horrified, and guilty about eating
- Low self-esteem
Diagnosing An Eating Disorder
Overview
People who have an eating disorder may eat too little or too much food. They may also be preoccupied with their shape or weight.
Eating disorders can affect anyone. But females in the United States are twice as likely as males to have the illness, according to the National Eating Disorders Association .
There are four main types of eating disorders:
- Anorexia nervosa: People with this condition dont eat enough. And they may have an extremely thin appearance.
- Bulimia nervosa: People with this condition overeat and then purge to avoid gaining weight. They may also abuse laxatives and diet pills.
- Binge eating: People with this condition eat uncontrollably and dont purge.
- Other specified feeding or eating disorder : This condition was originally called eating disorders not otherwise specified .
The exact cause of eating disorders is unknown. But several factors can contribute to the disease. Eating disorders may begin in the teen and young adult years. These are ages when many people are focused on their self-image. The illness can also run in families. Some emotional disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, increase the risk for an eating disorder.
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Do: Speak Positively About Body Image
Sharing what you love about yourself and others can motivate them to do the same. Im not talking about oh I love how slender my legs are but more so in acknowledging self-worth rather than what you look like, and all the amazing things your body can do regardless of your physical appearance.
Examples; I love my lips, they look great with lipstick, ~ Im not going to let my weight stop me from wearing this bikini, I like it and I feel comfortable,; ~ I am loving my hair at the moment it feels so healthy or; ~ I love my curves .
Sure, share your achievements too, like if you have a toned stomach, but just be wary that it might make your B.E.D person feel a bit shit. We like to feel proud of you, but also dont want you to rub it in Maybe find a nice way to bring it up. or maybe just tell it to others ?;
Beginning Of Experimental Psychology
began conducting research in in the 1830s. He articulated the principle that human perception of a stimulus varies according to its intensity. The principle became known as the . Fechner’s 1860 Elements of Psychophysics challenged Kant’s negative view with regard to conducting quantitative research on the mind. Fechner’s achievement was to show that “mental processes could not only be given numerical magnitudes, but also that these could be measured by experimental methods.” In Heidelberg, conducted parallel research on sensory perception, and trained physiologist . Wundt, in turn, came to Leipzig University, where he established the psychological that brought experimental psychology to the world. Wundt focused on breaking down mental processes into the most basic components, motivated in part by an analogy to recent advances in chemistry, and its successful investigation of the elements and structure of materials. and soon created another influential laboratory at Leipzig, a psychology-related lab, that focused more on experimental psychiatry.
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What To Say And Do
Like with other mental disorders, people who have eating disorders often lack the self-awareness to recognize they are in distress. Because shame and secrecy characterize binge eating disorder, people who struggle may not acknowledge that they have a problem.
There are many things you can do to support a family member who has binge eating disorder. Above all, be kind and compassionate, because your loved one is suffering much more than you can know.
- Listen with respect and sensitivity.
- Express your concern and desire to help.
- Be available when you are needed.
- Stay calm and be persistent; you will encounter resistance.
DO NOT:
- Try to solve the problem for your family member; he or she needs a qualified professional.
- Get involved in a power struggle around eating.
- Threaten or use scare tactics to get your loved one to change or seek treatment.
- Focus on weight, body size, calories, eating habits, or exercise.
- Blame your family member for doing something wrong.
- Use food as a reward or punishment.
- Be afraid to upset or talk to your loved one.
- Reject or ignore your family member; he or she needs you.
There are also many things you can do to help stop weight-based bullying:
Behavioral Symptoms Of Binge Eating And Compulsive Overeating
- Inability to stop eating or control what youre eating.
- Rapidly eating large amounts of food.
- Eating even when youre full.
- Hiding or stockpiling food to eat later in secret.
- Eating normally around others, but gorging when youre alone.
- Eating continuously throughout the day, with no planned mealtimes.
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Symptoms And Signs Of Binge
During a binge episode, people eat a much larger amount of food than most people would eat in a similar time under similar circumstances. During and after a binge, people feel as if they have lost control. Binge eating is not followed by purging , excessive exercising, or fasting. Binge eating occurs in episodes; it does not involve constant overeating .
People with binge-eating disorder are distressed by it. Mild to moderate depression Depressive Disorders Depressive disorders are characterized by sadness severe enough or persistent enough to interfere with function and often by decreased interest or pleasure in activities. Exact cause is unknown… read more and preoccupation with body shape, weight, or both are more common in obese people with binge-eating disorder than in people of similar weight who do not binge eat.
Major Schools Of Thought
Psychologists generally consider biology the substrate of thought and feeling, and therefore an important area of study. Behaviorial neuroscience, also known as biological psychology, involves the application of biological principles to the study of physiological and genetic mechanisms underlying behavior in humans and other animals. The allied field of is the scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of non-human animals. A leading question in behavioral neuroscience has been whether and how mental functions are . From to and , individual people with mental deficits traceable to physical brain damage have inspired new discoveries in this area. Modern behavioral neuroscience could be said to originate in the 1870s, when in France traced production of speech to the left frontal gyrus, thereby also demonstrating hemispheric lateralization of brain function. Soon after, identified a related area necessary for the understanding of speech.
approaches thought and behavior from a modern evolutionary perspective. This perspective suggests that psychological adaptations evolved to solve recurrent problems in human ancestral environments. Evolutionary psychologists attempt to find out how human psychological traits are evolved adaptations, the results of natural selection or sexual selection over the course of human evolution.
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