1. When You Can’t Stop Eating: A Closer Look at
Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)
We’ve all over-indulged from time to time. Perhaps we ate too much at a buffet, or had an extra
helping at a Thanksgiving feast. Overeating, to a degree, is normal behavior. But what about
when overeating occurs daily? Or even multiple times per day? What happens when we feel as
though we cannot stop eating, no matter how hard we try?
When most people think of Eating Disorders (EDs), they think of an emaciated, sick-looking
person (in other words, they picture someone with Anorexia Nervosa). Hearing the words
“Eating Disorder” may also trigger images of a person sticking their fingers down their throat
and inducing vomiting (purging behavior typical of someone withBulimia Nervosa). The truth is,
there are more than just two types of Eating Disorders. This article will discuss one type of
Eating Disorder that is similar to Bulimia Nervosa, yet differs from it in many
ways. Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) can be just as harmful as the other types of EDs, yet it is
seldom discussed or included in conversations about Eating Disorders in general.
What is Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)?
Binge-Eating Disorder (BED), which is also known as Compulsive Overeating, is a type of
Eating Disorder that is diagnosable in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). It is
characterized by consuming excessive amounts of food in a relatively short period of time, and
includes the feeling of being out of control or unable to stop eating. A typical binge for someone
with BED lasts anywhere between one and two hours, whereby
the individual may consume up to 3,000 calories
in one sitting. For those of you who know the recommended adult daily intake (approximately
2,000 calories/day), you know that eating 3,000 calories in one sitting is a lot. In fact, people
with BED continue eating past the point of satiation. During a binge, they consume as much
food as they possibly can in the quickest period of time – normally because they recognize that
their behavior is not considered “normal” and they are ashamed of themselves because they
cannot seem to stop eating. People with this disorder often report feeling very distressed either
during or immediately after a binge episode, and are also prone to Depression, Anxiety
Disorders, and Substance Abuse/Addictionproblems. They key feature that distinguishes
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2. Bulimia Nervosa (BN) from Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) is that persons with BED
do not engage in compensatory behavior, such as purging after bingeing in order to “make up”
for the overeating.
Why Do People Binge-Eat?
For persons with Eating Disorders (particularly Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating Disorder),
food can be a source of comfort. It can fill a void that was caused by something completely
unrelated to food or eating, such aschildhood trauma or sexual abuse. This is not to say that
every person with Binge-Eating Disorder has suffered a traumatic or abusive childhood, but it
has been recognized as a contributing factor in some cases. Regardless of the cause of the
disorder, persons with BED report using food as a comfort mechanism when they are feeling
sad, angry, stressed, or anxious.
However, this
“comfort” that the food provides is only a short-term fix for the unpleasant feelings, and soon
after the binge is over, sufferers report intense feelings of remorse and self-loathing. They feel
disgusted with themselves and their inability to control what they eat. They want to stop, but
cannot seem to – no matter how hard they try. This is problematic because it induces a vicious
cycle of binge-eating. For instance, you eat to comfort yourself from an unpleasant emotion, you
temporarily feel relief, then you feel extremely guilty for overeating, so you eat again to relieve
yourself from the unpleasant emotions once again. As you can see, binge-eating can quickly
develop into an uncontrollable cycle of using food as a means to feel better. But it is a
double-edged sword, because although it may make you feel better in the short-term, it also
makes you feel terrible about yourself in the long-term. This feeling is amplified when the
individual begins to gain weight from all the overeating. The guilt and self-loathing are only
intensified as the sufferer inevitably gains weight, yet he/she continues to binge-eat because it
is what they have always associated with temporary relief and comfort.
Signs & Symptoms of Binge-Eating Disorder
The following are some signs and symptoms of Binge-Eating Disorder (BED):
Consuming excessive amounts of food in a relatively short period of time
Eating past the point of fullness/satiation
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3. Feeling as though you cannot stop eating, no matter how hard you try
Experiencing a “trance-like” state of consciousness during a binge, where you cannot
really taste the food you’re eating
Bingeing in secret, or hoarding snacks and treats to consume when you’re alone
Feeling guilty and ashamed either during or immediately after a binge episode
Feeling better (temporarily) while binge-eating
Constantly thinking about food or the next time you’ll be able to eat
Not engaging in compensatory behaviors (i.e. purging), despite feeling guilty about the
binge
What Are The Impacts of Binge-Eating Disorder?
There are several complications associated with Binge-Eating Disorder, including Physical
Impacts and Emotional Impacts. They are as follows:
Physical Impacts of Binge-Eating Disorder:
Regular overeating will inevitably lead to weight gain. This is the main reason why persons with
BED are usually overweight (about 20%) and oftentimes even obese (about 65%). Individuals
with BED are also at a much higher risk for developing Type II diabetes, high cholesterol, and
high blood pressure. Gallbladder disease and heart disease are two other common physical
effects of binge-eating. Other physical problems include joint pain and osteoarthritis, sleep
apnea, and general gastrointestinal issues.
Emotional Impacts of Binge-Eating Disorder
:
BED is associated with a variety of emotional and psychological consequences, such as low
self-esteem, poor body image, and feelings of helplessness. These feelings can quickly lead to
Depression and other mood disorders. Some sufferers even report having suicidal ideation due
to their inability to control themselves when it comes to eating. Others self-medicate by using
drugs and/or alcohol to “numb” the negative feelings they are having about themselves due to
their disorder. Anxiety Disorders are common in BED sufferers as well.
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4. How is Binge-Eating Disorder Treated?
While self-help techniques may offer temporary relief from Binge-Eating Disorder symptoms, it
is important to seek out help from a professional counselor or therapist for your Eating
Disorder. Usually these things do not go away on their own, and despite your best efforts, you
may find yourself repeating old habits when certain events or emotions trigger you. If you live in
the San Diego area and are currently looking for an Eating Disorder counselor, please give
my office a call today for a consultation.
Each treatment plan is individualized based on the needs and specific circumstances of the
client. There is no one “miracle” approach to treating Binge-Eating Disorder. Together, we will
tailor a personalized treatment regimen that you are comfortable with following in order to treat
your symptoms of binge-eating. If necessary, we may address issues of your past which may be
contributing to your current Eating Disorder (i.e. traumatic childhood experience, difficulties
coping with negative emotions and/or stress, low self-esteem, etc.). Together, we will get to the
root of the problem which will then help us to alleviate your symptoms and ultimately make you
feel better about your body and yourself overall.
Some common types of therapy that I have found to be helpful for clients with Binge-Eating
Disorder areCognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Individual/Adult Therapy. CBT involves
pinpointing the automatic, negative thoughts you may be having, and attempts to replace these
problematic thoughts with more balanced or realistic ones. The fundamental aspect behind CBT
is that if we can successfully alter our problematic thoughts, we will in turn alter our emotions
and thus our behaviors. Individual/Adult Therapy tends to focus more on the root causes of your
Eating Disorder, such as issues from the past which could be contributing to your current
problem of overeating. The thought behind this type of therapy is that once we understand our
past and our triggers for the dysfunctional behavior, we can use this knowledge to better
address the current problem. Regardless of the type of therapy, you will learn healthier coping
mechanisms to deal with the unpleasant thoughts and emotions that usually trigger a binge
episode.
Overall, Binge-Eating Disorder (BED) is a serious disease that can have a powerful impact on
your physical and mental health. While it may seem as though there is no hope right now, and
you may feel like this is how you’re going to have to live for the rest of your life, please know
that there is hope and recovery from Binge-Eating Disorder is possible! While total recovery will
inevitably take a lot of work from you, with the support of a trained and qualified Eating
Disorders Counselor, we will tackle these issues together and help you to enjoy a life where
food and eating no longer dictate your feelings and mood.
Copyright ©2012 Jan Rakoff. All Rights Reserved.
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