Binge Eating Disorder:
Excerpts taken from www.ahealthyme.com
Binge eating disorder first appeared in medical textbooks in 1992. Before this official diagnosis, people with the problem were called compulsive eaters or just plain "food addicts."
What is Binge Eating Disorder:
- Frequent episodes of uncontrollable binge eating
- Feeling extremely distressed or upset during or after binging
- No regular attempts to “make up” for the binges through vomiting, fasting, or over-exercising.
People with binge eating disorder (BED) struggle with feelings of guilt, disgust, and depression. They worry about what the compulsive eating will do to their bodies and beat themselves up for their lack of self-control. They desperately want to stop binge eating, but they feel like they can’t.
People with binge eating disorder suffer from this psychological food addiction. Like the alcoholic that can’t say no to a drink, they can’t say no to food. Often, their binge eating is triggered by a depressed or anxious mood, but they may also overeat when they’re tense, lonely, or bored. They eat to feed their feelings, rather than their bodies.
What causes BED?
While no one knows exactly what sets off any eating disorder, experts agree that people who suffer from BED consume food as an unhealthy way of coping with strong feelings, such as sadness and anger, or psychological problems such as depression and anxiety.
Most experts believe that it takes a combination of things to develop an eating disorder — including a person's genes, emotions, and experience.
Biological causes of binge eating disorder
Studies show that biological abnormalities contribute to binge eating. For example, the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that controls appetite) may not be sending correct messages about hunger and fullness. Researchers have also found a genetic mutation that appears to cause food addiction. Finally, there is evidence that low levels of the brain chemical serotonin play a role in compulsive eating.
Psychological causes of binge eating disorder
Depression and binge eating are strongly linked. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, up to half of all binge eaters are either depressed or have been before. There is further evidence that low self-esteem, loneliness, and body dissatisfaction are involved in compulsive overeating. People with binge eating disorder may also have trouble with impulse control and managing and expressing their feelings.
Social and cultural causes of binge eating disorder
Social pressure to be thin can add to the shame binge eaters feel and fuel their emotional eating. The way one is raised can also increase the risk for binge eating disorder. Some parents unwittingly set the stage for binging by using food to comfort, dismiss, or reward their children. Children who are exposed to frequent critical comments about their bodies and weight are also vulnerable. Another factor which has been linked to binge eating is sexual abuse in childhood.
Tips for Overcoming Binge Eating:
- Eat breakfast. Skipping breakfast often leads to overeating later in the day, so start your day right with a healthy meal. Eating breakfast also jump starts your metabolism in the morning. Studies show that people who eat breakfast are thinner than those who don’t.
- Avoid temptation. You’re much more likely to overeat if you have junk food, desserts, and unhealthy snacks in the house. Remove the temptation by clearing your fridge and cupboards of your favorite binge foods.
- Stop dieting. The deprivation and hunger of strict dieting can trigger food cravings and the urge to overeat. Instead of dieting, focus on eating in moderation. Find nutritious foods that you enjoy and avoid labeling foods as “good” or “bad.”
- Exercise. Not only will exercise help you lost weight in a healthy way, but it also lifts depression, improves overall health, and reduces stress. The natural mood-boosting effects of exercise can help put a stop to emotional eating.
- Distress. Learn how to cope with stress in healthy ways that don’t involve food.
