Binge Eating and Overeating

We have all been there. You and your family are sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, bread/butter, wine, pumpkin pie and ooph. You turn around and realize that not only did you eat some of everything you ate seconds. That was before the football games started. You let out your belt a couple notches and realize how full you really feel. The good thing is that this usually only happens once a year. The bad thing is that for some people this happens a lot more often.

Overeating occurs from time to time for almost everyone. The volume of food eaten nor what is eaten does not define binge eating disorder. The definition requires a person to, “eat an unusually large amount of food and feel their eating is out of control. People with binge eating disorder also may: 1) eat much more quickly than usual during binge episodes, 2) eat until they are uncomfortably full, 3) eat large amounts of food even when they are not really hungry, 4) eat alone because they are embarrassed about the amount of food they eat, 5) feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty about overeating.” Other behaviors may include depression, anxiety, frequently eating alone, hoarding food, hiding empty food containers, and feeling disgusted about eating.

Binging is also distinguished from Bulimia Nervosa in that persons with bulimia with do something to counter the intake associated with a binge such as purging (vomiting), use of laxatives or diuretics, or overexercising, to keep from gaining weight. They may also restrict intake or fast at other times as well.

Some sources estimate that 2% of the adult population of the United States is affected by binge eating disorder but that up to 15% of people who are mildly obese and trying to lose weight on their own may have binge eating disorder. It is thought to be even more common in the morbidly obese. Women are slightly more affected than men.

There is no known cause of binge eating disorder but studies suggest that “people who are binge eaters say that being angry, sad, bored, worried, or stressed can cause them to binge eat.” It is also noted that, “Certain behaviors and emotional problems are more common in people with binge eating disorder. These include abusing alcohol, acting quickly without thinking (impulsive behavior), not feeling in charge of themselves, not feeling a part of their communities, and not noticing and talking about their feelings.” There has been suggestion that with Western culture and its focus on thinness may.

This may sound quite depressing and seem a bit too close to home for some people. The good news is that people with binge eating disorder can get these behaviors under control. The time to seek treatment for binge-eating is when life begins to revolve around food and eating. When eating makes it difficult to enjoy life and embarrassment or shame are involved, further intervention is warranted. The treatment approach is generally multi-disciplinary with the input of a physician, nutritionist, and a mental health professional.

The physician's role is to treat the medical problems associated with the binge eating including: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gall bladder disease and others. The physician may also directly supervise weight loss. Medication such as antidepressants, may also be warranted.

The nutritionist's role is to guide healthy eating. They retrain patients regarding portion size and food selection to include all macro- and micro-nutrients. They are able to adjust maintenance diet plans to keep a patient's weight stable.

The mental health professional has the task to “teach people how to keep track of their eating and change their unhealthy eating habits. It [cognitive behavioral therapy] teaches them how to change the way they act in tough situations. It also helps them feel better about their body shape and weight.” Interpersonal therapy and dialectical behavior therapy may also be used to teach patients how to improve their interpersonal skills and stress management.
There is no reason that a person with binge eating disorder should feel shame nor keep their behaviors a secret. Coming forward allows the treatment to begin.

Sources:
http://www.medicinenet.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com
http://nationaleatingdisorders.org
http://www.aedweb.org