People with binge eating disorder should get help from a health care professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker. As with bulimia, there are different ways to treat binge eating disorder that may be helpful for some people.
- Nutritional advice and psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Drug therapy, such as antidepressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) or appetite suppressants prescribed by a doctor
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CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the important role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. Therapy for a person with binge eating disorder may be one-on-one with a therapist or group-based.
Treatment usually starts with psychotherapy that helps patients change unhealthy habits and behaviors into health ones. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps patients identify and cope with situations that lead them to overeat, and interpersonal therapy helps patients identify and improve relationships that may lead them to binge. While there are no medications specifically designed to treat binge eating disorder, antidepressant medications (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants) and the antiseizure medication Topamax have both been shown to help reduce binge eating behavior, especially when used in combination with psychotherapy.
The cause of binge eating disorder is unknown, and most likely is a combination of genes and biochemistry, psychological factors (depression, anger, mood disorders) and environmental factors. There is a strong connection with depression, as over half of binge eaters have been diagnosed in the past or currently suffer with it.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting over 5 million women and over 3 million men. While most people may overeat on occasion, such as at a holiday meal or special occasion, people with binge eating disorder routinely overeat to excess and are unable to stop doing so even if it is affecting their health and well being, and it is often done in secrecy.
Diagnosis is made based off of patient history and symptoms. Currently the diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder includes:
- recurrent binging episodes of abnormally large amounts of food and feeling a lack of control
- patient concern over their own behavior -the binging is associated with embarrassment, depression and guilt
- the behavior occurs at least two times a week for six months
- the patient does not attempt to purge with vomiting or another method, like someone with bulimia
If you think you might have binge eating disorder, it is important to know that you are not alone. Most people who have the disorder have tried but failed to control it on their own. You may want to get professional help. Talk to your health care provider about the type of help that may be best for you. The good news is that most people do well in treatment and can overcome binge eating.
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 do people without an eating disorder. Other complications from binge eating disorder could include joint pain, digestive problems, headache, muscle pain, and menstrual problems.
People with binge eating disorder often feel bad about themselves and may miss work, school, or social activities to binge eat.
People with binge eating disorder may gain weight. Weight gain can lead to obesity, and obesity puts people at risk for many health problems. People with binge eating disorder who are obese are at higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. They also experience guilt, shame, and distress about their binge eating, which can lead to more binge eating.
Symptoms of binge eating disorder obviously include frequent and often rapid consumption of large amounts of food, even when someone is full. Patients feel that their eating behavior is out of control, and will often feel depressed or guilty about the behavior and eat alone. Patients are frequently obese and attempt frequent dieting. They have a high comorbidity of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. It is important to note that binge eating disorder is different than compulsive overeating, as binge eaters often do not fantasize about food or feel compelled to overeat, but rather do so as an expression of deeper psychological problems.
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.
People with binge eating disorder may gain weight. Weight gain can lead to obesity, and obesity raises the risk for these health problems:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Gallbladder disease
- Heart disease
- Certain types of cancer
Obese people with binge eating disorder often have other mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Personality disorders