Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is a psychological disorder in which a patient consumes more than 1500 calories in 2 hours or less than 2 hours. The actions are driven by compulsive behaviour followed by feelings of shamefulness and guilt. The blog discusses binge eating disorder treatment, binge eating disorder symptoms, and the possible complications of binge eating disorder that worsen a patient’s condition.
Read on to learn how to recover from binge eating disorder and the best binge eating disorder treatment centre for fast recovery.

What Is a Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder is a psychological problem. This is when a person consumes large amounts of food (typically more than 1500 calories) in a short period (in less than 2 hours). There is no control over actions, and a person is unaware of how much food is supposed to be consumed. If the behaviour continues for more than a month and the bout occurs at least once a week, an individual must seek immediate professional help.

What is the difference between bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder?

People diagnosed with bulimia nervosa indulge in activities like throwing up food after consuming food for weight loss. However, those who binge eat do not worry about weight. Unlike patients suffering from bulimia nervosa, binge-eaters do not exercise excessively or consume laxatives to lose calories.

Statistics and Facts

Eating disorders are highly prevalent in Indian society owing to certain cultural and social beauty standards. Another study conducted in 2018 proved that 2-3% of the Indian population suffered from eating disorders, and the majority were women.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth 1: Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder.
Fact 1: No. binge eating disorder is a psychiatric disorder that can only be treated by professional mental health experts.

Myth 2: Binge eating disorder is the same as overeating.
Fact 2: False. Binge eating disorder is a complex problem that entails other health issues and is sometimes a coping mechanism for many who are distressed. Overeating is simply having a second helping after you have consumed your normal diet.

Myth 3: Only overweight people are more susceptible to binge eating disorder.
Fact 3: No. Anyone can suffer from binge eating disorder, as it is a psychological disorder.

What Are the Possible Complications of Binge Eating Disorder?

• Excessive Weight Gain
  Obesity, or being excessively overweight, is a serious problem that is caused by untimely and overconsumption of food. Binge eaters do not stick to a routine; therefore, they eat at the wrong hours, which disrupts their circadian rhythm and digestive system, causing obesity.
• Heart Diseases
  Being overweight makes it difficult for the body to pump blood properly. Excessive fat around the belly increases the chances of getting high blood pressure and high cholesterol and also increases blood sugar levels.
• Type 2 Diabetes
  The risk of getting type 2 diabetes goes up as the body weight goes up. Extreme hunger, fatigue, and thirst are often associated with type 2 diabetes, which gets triggered by binge eating.
• Behavioural Issues
  Anger, frustration, and sadness often increase a person’s appetite for food items that are high in starch and sugar. The aim is to receive energy from food and feel good so that feelings of guilt and regret dissipate.

Types of Binge Eating Disorder

• Hunger binge
  This type of binge eating is triggered when a patient eats less or skips meals. It leads to uncontrollable eating episodes wherein a patient eventually ends up eating a lot in a short period.
• Deprivation binge
  This kind of binge eating is triggered by psychological deprivation and food restriction. Certain dietary rules often lead to emotional rebellion, which leads to binge eating episodes in which a restricted diet is consumed.
• Stress binge
  Food consumption is associated with stress. binge eating certain kinds of food serves as a coping mechanism to relax and reward oneself. It is a way to distract oneself from anxiety or other issues.
• Opportunity Binge
  Triggered by privacy and solitude, the opportunity to binge happens when there is an urge to consume certain foods that are off-limits in public. Patients consume foods privately and try to hide their behaviour by eating in secrecy.
• Habitual binge
  Defined by a stimulus-response pattern, habitual binge eating occurs when habitual cues subconsciously trigger the urge to binge based on past behaviour. For example, eating while watching your favourite show.
• Pleasure binge
  This bout of binge eating is triggered by a craving for pleasure or reward. The process starts with a bite, which later escalates into consuming far more, as the aim is to seek gratification from food.
• Vengeful Binge
  Driven by anger or self-punishment, habitual binge eating is triggered when a person wants to express frustration or show defiance against others. It is a way of directing frustration at oneself and showing rebellion.

Causes of Binge Eating Disorder

• Genetic Reasons
  Genes influence appetite regulation and emotional response to food. A family history of mental health issues makes an individual more susceptible to binge eating.
• Psychological Problems
  Depression, stress, and anxiety can make a person binge-eat as a coping mechanism. Low self-esteem, sadness, and unresolved trauma can lead to excessive consumption of food.
• Cultural Factors
  Certain cultures support a particular body type for which some people have to restrict their diet, which fuels binge eating behaviour. An unhealthy relationship between body image and food consumption can lead to psychological problems.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder?

People who have binge eating disorders are uncomfortable with their body shape and size. Here are some of the most common binge eating disorder symptoms:

• Patients are not able to stop themselves while eating. They struggle to control their eating behaviour.
• Patients often consume large amounts of food in two hours or so.
• Consumption of food when there is no feeling of hunger is common among patients. They tend to gulp food during binges.
• Patients are often observed to eat in secrecy to conceal their eating habits and feel depressed once they are done with their bout.

How do you recover from binge eating disorder?

Since binge eating is a psychological disorder, diagnosing it at the right time and taking therapy from a professional mental health expert is essential.

Diagnosis

The first step of binge eating disorder treatment is conducting a diagnosis. The process includes analysing the medical history of the patient and then conducting a physical exam. Blood tests, urine tests, and other laboratory procedures can help determine the severity of the problem.

Talk Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  The first therapy recommended for binge eating disorder treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy. Patients are trained to replace negative thought patterns with positive ones through cognitive restructuring. Therapists treat the patient by asking them to independently recognise triggers that make them feel pangs of hunger.
• Integrative Cognitive-Affective Therapy
  Another effective binge eating disorder treatment technique is integrative cognitive-affective therapy. The therapy addresses emotional triggers and helps patients to manage emotions without resorting to food as a coping mechanism. Patients are trained to replace binge eating with healthier habits.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is a binge eating disorder treatment technique in which patients are encouraged to practice mindfulness and emotional regulation. Patients are trained to be more emotionally resilient and establish healthier eating habits in routine.

Living with a Binge Eating Disorder

• Binge eating disorder treatment can be emotionally and physically taxing for a patient. Therefore, focus on the recovery without being harsh on oneself.
• Living with binge eating disorder can be difficult as there are lots of other health issues that follow. Heart-related issues, hormonal issues because of weight gain, poor digestion, and skin problems come up because of binge eating.
• Owing to changes in the body, a patient might also feel ashamed and experience poor self-confidence. Therefore, seeking professional help from a binge eating disorder treatment centre is highly recommended.

How to Support Loved Ones

• Avoid asking people about sudden weight gain because multiple reasons can lead to obesity. Since they are already running low on confidence, asking them about the issue will do them no good.
• There is a proper binge eating disorder treatment that a person can opt for. Therefore, counsel people who you know are binge eating as a coping mechanism.
• Multiple binge eating disorder symptoms can be caught and treated in the first go. Therefore, encourage them to shake off the taboo and seek help in the preliminary stages.
• Avoid body shaming them or calling names, as they might take it personally. Many cultures consider a certain body type to be better than others, which hurts people. Therefore, empathy and compassion are essential.
• Recommend the best binge eating disorder treatment centre. Encourage them to seek help from a professional and not to consider it as taboo.
• Nutritionists also play a major role in treating binge eating disorders. Encourage a patient to consult a nutritionist to make a diet chart that has balanced and nutritious meals.

Jagruti Treatment and Recovery

• 24/7 Care and Treatment Among other psychological problems, Jagruti Rehab Centre is a premium binge eating disorder treatment centre. The nursing staff is available round the clock, hygiene is maintained at all times, and patients are treated with compassion.
• Extensive Therapy and Counselling Sessions Binge eating disorder treatment at Jagruti Rehab Centre includes counselling sessions for parents and patients. The family is updated about the progress of the treatment, and the disorder is explained to them extensively. The treatment process is also described in detail so that patients are comfortable.
• Relapse Prevention Preventing relapse is as essential a part of the treatment as the therapy. Therapists organise sessions, online as well as offline, to keep a tab on a patient's health. Habits are reviewed consistently, and they are encouraged to maintain a positive attitude.
• Comfort and Other Facilities Binge eating disorder symptoms may vary in every patient. Therefore, the staff at Jagruti Rehab Centre ensures that patients are taken care of and take their medicines on time. Payment can be made according to a patient’s convenience. Online and offline treatment methods are also available for those who cannot afford to attend sessions physically.