Binge Eating Disorder: Facts & Treatment Solutions

Have you ever in your life consumed unalarmed quantity of food? If yes, it can either be a hunger stricken act or there is definitely some sort of disorder which you have been suffering from. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is basically a form of compulsive overeating which makes the person unable to control himself from not hogging onto food.  

This disorder was first explained by Albert Stunkard in 1959, who was professionally a researcher and psychiatrist. He had then named this illness as Night Eating Syndrome (NES). However, over the years the evolution of the term ‘Binge Eating Disorder’ was brought into the limelight without considering the nocturnal aspect.

Binge Eating Disorder

Outcomes of Binge Eating

It should be understood that binge eating disorder is not gender specific and can occur in both male and female candidates. Furthermore, people with normal weight are the most affected and tend to develop unwanted obesity, which can ultimately support further obsessive eating.

This disorder not only impacts the physical side of a person, but breaks them down emotionally as well. Individuals suffering from binge eating disorder do tussle with emotions related to guilt and disgust which is either driven by anxiety or depression.

Reasons Leading to BED

Till date the exact cause leading to binge eating is not known; however, there are several reasons which are known to develop this disorder. Some of the assumed factors being:

·         Biological abnormalities like genetic mutations or hormonal irregularities, can be linked to compulsive eating as well as food addiction.

·         There are several psychological aspects such as low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, trouble in coping with feelings, etc., which are expected to result in binge eating disorder.

·         A number of traumatic situations that can include sexual abuse, social pressures can certainly trigger emotional eating. It has been noticed that individuals subject to grave comments related to their weight or body can especially grow vulnerable to eating without keeping a track of the quantity.

Treatment for BED

The application of medicines and drugs for treating any disease can be an option. Also, it has been noticed that binge eating disorder drug industry has grown with the rise in count of candidates suffering from this condition. But there are different types of therapies which can be opted in order to get rid of BED.

Presently, there are three types of therapy which can prove effective in the cure of binge eating disorder, which are:

 CBT or Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This therapy type is aimed at managing the individual by understanding their feelings and thoughts which effects their behavior.

DBT or Dialectical Behavior Therapy: This therapy types focuses on instructing individuals skills in order to get out of regulate emotions and stress.

IPT or Interpersonal Psychotherapy: A therapy version which works on the individual’s relationship with his/her family and peers, which further involves the perspective they hold towards the patient.

It is always recommended to consult an expert who deals in binge eating disorder. Self-assessment can often lead to misery, so always be careful whenever handling any such disorder like BED.