Binge eating disorder (BED) is an “expressive disorder”, which means that the condition is rather an expression of an already existing deeper mental problem. It is presently placed under the category of “Eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS)” in DSM-IV, implying that further research is required on this subject.
DSM-IV stands for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and followed by the doctors in this country as it includes all the currently recognized mental health disorders, their diagnosis and treatment procedures.
This condition is a major risk factor for obesity with an estimated four million people (3.5 percent women and 2 percent men) being affected by it in the United States. It is prevalent in 10-15 percent of mildly obese people and in 30 percent of individuals seeking weight loss treatment. Women are twice at risk of developing this condition than men.
Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder: Unfortunately no one knows the causes for this condition. Nearly 50 percent of patients developing this condition suffered from depression in the past. But no link between depression and BED is found to exist yet. Signs to watch out for are:
- No control over the amount of food consumed
- Rapid weight gain
- Sudden onset of obesity
- Depression
- Eating when bored
- Eating in a hurry
- Negative feeling about food
- Feeling guilty after eating
- Eating large quantity of food when not hungry at all
- Eating alone to avoid embarrassment
- Eating alone to avoid discovery of the disorder
- Eating until a feeling of nausea and discomfort is experienced
Type 2 diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia), high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, gallbladder disease, breast and colon cancers are the associated complications of this condition.
Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder:
BED patients require medical attention from health professionals like doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, and clinical social workers. But stigma and a feeling of embarrassment come on the way and delay the commencement of the treatment.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy and drug therapy are some of the available treatments. Dieting is mostly ineffective as the weight lost in gained back quickly. Researchers are trying to find more effective treatment methods.
As the condition is not recognised as a psychiatric disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, obtaining insurance reimbursement is difficult.
