Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

About Binge Eating Disorder

Perhaps the greatest controversy in the field of eating-disorder treatment is the debate over how to treat binge eating disorder. The condition--currently a provisional category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual--is marked by recurrent binge-eating without purging and is typically seen in people who are obese. Binge eating disorder is sometimes called compulsive eating disorder.

Like people with bulimia nervosa, those with binge eating disorder carry distorted attitudes about eating, shape and weight, as well as mood symptoms such as depression and personality disorders. Binge eating disorder affects about 2 percent of the general population and 8 percent of people who are obese.

Because binge eating disorder involves weight and eating disorder concerns, researchers in both the obesity and eating disorders treatment fields perceive binge eating disorder treatment goals through the lens of their own eating disorder treatment training. Most binge eating disorder experts believe the disorder 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.

Binge Eating Disorder Criteria

Below are criteria to assist someone in determining if they have a binge eating disorder or are eating compulsively:

• A person eats until they are so full they are uncomfortable.
• A person eats large amounts of food, even when they are not hungry.
• A person feels their eating is out of control.
• A person eats alone because they are embarrassed about the amount of food they eat.
• A person eats what most people believe is a large amount of food.
• A person eats much more quickly during binging.
• A person feels depressed, disgusted or guilty after overeating.

While no one is sure what causes compulsive eating or binge eating disorder, we do know that many compulsive eaters and people with binge eating disorder report feeling depressed. Another common thread is that many compulsive eaters and those with binge eating disorder also report sexual abuse. While these issues are not common to everyone, the vast majority report they tend to binge over feelings of sadness, anger, resentment, boredom, anxiety or joy.

Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

The goals for treatment of a compulsive eating disorder, food addiction or binge eating disorder are to reduce or eliminate eating binges and, when necessary, to lose weight. Because binge eating and compulsive eating are so entwined with shame, poor self-image, self-hatred and other negative emotions, binge eating disorder treatment needs to address associated psychological issues.

There is no one binge eating disorder treatment program that is perfect for everyone. There are as many different eating disorder treatment programs as there are eating disorder treatment philosophies. Take the time to match the needs of the person with the eating disorder with the eating disorder services provided in the actual eating disorder treatment program.

At a minimum, the binge eating disorder treatment program should be licensed by the state in which it provides eating disorder treatment and J.C.A.H.O. accredited. The eating disorder treatment staff should be licensed and experienced in dual diagnosis treatment. Since many of the people that come into treatment for binge eating disorder treatment suffer from drug addiction or alcoholism, question whether the eating disorder program has the ability to provide safe and effective drug detox.

Lastly, does the binge eating disorder program have a comprehensive and effective psychiatric and nutritional component? Most of the people in eating disorder treatment for binge eating disorder suffer from mental health issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder (P.T.S.D.) The more unstable the person is from an emotional perspective, the more likely they are to return to binge eating.