Binge Eating Disorder Information

Binge eating is another type of eating disorder. People with binge eating disorder may gain weight. Because binge-eating disorder has only recently started attracting serious attention and there's still uncertainty over its definition, it's unknown how many people are affected. Most estimates say it's the most common of all eating disorders. People with binge eating disorder often eat large amounts of food and feel that they can't control their eating. Binge eating disorder is more common in people who are obese, but it affects people with healthy weights as well. People with a binge eating problem may overeat when they feel stressed, upset, hurt, or angry. Binge eating also occurs in another eating disorder called bulimia nervosa. Persons with bulimia nervosa, however, usually purge, fast, or do strenuous exercise after they binge eat. People with binge eating disorder are usually very upset by their binge eating and may become depressed. Research has shown that people with binge eating disorder report more health problems, stress, trouble sleeping, and suicidal thoughts than people without an eating disorder. People with binge eating disorder often feel badly about themselves and may miss work, school, or social activities to binge eat. This disorder is different from binge-purge syndrome because people with binge eating disorder usually do not purge afterward by vomiting or using laxatives.

Binge eating disorder is slightly more common in women, with three women affected for every two men. People with binge eating disorder do not have a compulsion to overeat and do not spend a great deal of time fantasising about food. Dieting's effect on binge eating disorder is also unclear. While findings vary, early research suggests that about half of all people with binge eating disorder had binge episodes before they started to diet. Certain behaviors and emotional problems are more common in people with binge eating disorder. The disorder affects blacks as often as whites; its frequency in other ethnic groups is not yet known. People who are obese and have binge eating disorder often became overweight at a younger age than those without the disorder. They might also lose and gain back weight more often. Some people with binge eating disorder have very negative feelings about food. On one side of the debate, eating-disorders experts believe binge-eating is best treated by traditional eating-disorder approaches, such as helping patients reduce or eliminate bingeing, improving their self-esteem and body acceptance, and treating underlying psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.

Causes of Binge eating disorder

The common causes and risk factor's of Binge eating disorder include the following:

• The exect causes of binge eating disorder are still unknown.
• A history of depression.
• Some people binge after skipping meals, not eating enough food each day, or avoiding certain kinds of food.
• Anger, sadness, boredom, anxiety or other negative emotions can trigger a binge episode.
• People who spend their whole lives dieting, being obsessed about their bodies and developing unnatural eating patterns can sometimes be more prone to the disorder.

Symptoms of Binge eating disorder

Some sign and symptoms related to Binge eating disorder are as follows:

• Eating faster during binge episodes.
• Depression or anxiety.
• Eating when not hungry.
• Frequent dieting without weight loss.
• Loss of sexual desire.
• High blood pressure.
• Feelings of guilt and shame
• Disgusted with self.

Treatment of Binge eating disorder

Here is list of the methods for treating Binge eating disorder:

• Treatment with medications such as antidepressants may be helpful for some individuals.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Method in which the client is taught techniques to monitor and change their eating habits, as well as to change the way they respond to difficult and stressful situations. 
• Interpersonal psychotherapy helps people look at their relationships with friends and family and make changes in problem areas.
• Self-help groups also may be a source of support.