What research is being done to help people with binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of being unable to control one’s eating; and feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after bingeing. Unlike bulimia nervosa, there is no purging (ritualistic vomiting, use of laxatives, or overexercising) after a binge. Consequently, people with binge eating disorder often are overweight or obese.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It affects women slightly more often than men, and is most prevalent in young adults and adults in their 30s and 40s.
Research on the causes of binge eating disorder is ongoing, but there are a number of theories about what may contribute to its development. These include psychological factors such as low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and a history of dieting; biological factors such as a family history of obesity or eating disorders; and sociocultural factors such as the pressures of Western beauty ideals and the increasing availability of high-calorie foods.
There is also evidence that suggests that people with binge eating disorder may have a deficiency in the brain chemical serotonin, which plays a role in regulating mood and appetite. This may explain why people with binge eating disorder often report feelings of depression, anxiety, and irritability.
A number of different treatment approaches have been effective in helping people with binge eating disorder recover. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and changingnegative thoughts and behaviors; interpersonal therapy (IPT), which focuses on resolving interpersonal conflicts; and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which emphasizes the development of skills to manage emotions.
In addition, a number of medications have been shown to be effective in treating binge eating disorder, including antidepressant medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), and antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine (Zyprexa) and topiramate (Topamax).
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, there are many resources available to help. These include the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)..Reference
What are the treatment options for binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating. Binge eating episodes are characterized by both of the following:
-eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances
-a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
Binge eating episodes are often associated with feelings of shame, distress, and guilt. Binge eating disorder is different from Bulimia Nervosa, which is characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by some type of compensatory behavior (e.g., purging) to prevent weight gain. Binge eating disorder is also different from overeating, which does not involve the same intense feelings of lack of control.
The exact cause of binge eating disorder is unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It is estimated that 3.5% of women, 2.0% of men, and 1.6% of adolescents will suffer from binge eating disorder at some point in their lives.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for binge eating disorder, but there are many evidence-based treatments that can be effective. The most common and evidence-based treatments for binge eating disorder are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
CBT for binge eating disorder focuses on helping the person identify and change thoughts and behaviors that contribute to binge eating. DBT for binge eating disorder focuses on helping the person develop skills to cope with difficult emotions and situations that may trigger binge eating.
Other potential treatments for binge eating disorder include medication (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers) and/or nutritional counseling.
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, it is important to seek professional help. Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder that can be effectively treated with evidence-based therapies.
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