What is Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder in which there are regular episodes of eating large portions.
Symptoms include uncontrolled eating, eating larger portions than most normal people, and feeling unable to stop eating or control the amount of food intake.
Unlike bulimia nervosa, people with BED do not engage in compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting or excessive exercise afterward.
Therefore, people with BED often experience weight problems or obesity. People with BED tend to have unresolved mental or emotional health problems.
Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Symptoms of BED are someone who repeatedly or continuously has binge eating episodes.
The episodes include:
- Eating large amounts of food within a certain amount of time such as a 2 hour period.
- Chewing much faster than normal people.
- Eating until you feel too full and your stomach feels bloated.
- Can eat large portions even when not hungry.
- Eating in secret because he was embarrassed by the amount of food.
- Feeling disgusted, depressed, ashamed, upset, or guilty about yourself after eating.
A person who suffers from BED also has other symptoms besides binge eating episodes, including:
- Often on diets, but find it difficult to stick to diets and lose weight.
- Hoarding food.
- Having sensitive, upset, or angry feelings when talking about food or hearing about body shaming.
- Having feelings of anxiety, hopelessness, and low self-confidence.
Causes of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
There are a number of factors that can cause this condition. Some factors that may play a role in the development of BED include:
- Psychological factors
Most sufferers experience problems with emotional regulation, stress, feelings of helplessness, and other mental well-being issues.
They also often experience feelings of anxiety, depression, or an inability to cope with emotional stress.
- Social and cultural pressures
Social and cultural pressures that promote restrictive dieting, unrealistic physical appearance norms, and idealized body image may influence individuals who are vulnerable to developing BED.
Social media and advertising can also amplify this pressure.
- Genetic factors
Research suggests that genetic factors contribute to the development of BED.
Individuals who have family members with a history of eating disorders or other mental disorders may be at higher risk.
- Environmental factors
Traumatic experiences, abuse, or severe stress in an individual’s life may contribute to the development of BED.
Environmental factors such as unbalanced dietary habits or instability in life are also included.
- Emotional drive
Binge eating is often associated with a desire to relieve negative emotions or stress.
Individuals with BED may use food as a way to cope with feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, or stress.
- Hormonal changes
Some hormonal changes in the body, such as thyroid disorders or other hormonal problems, can affect appetite and contribute to the development of BED.
Risk Factors for Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
This eating disorder, BED, is more common in women than in men.
Although it can affect all ages, BED is more common in the early 20s.
Some factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing BED include:
- A close family history of BED, such as a parent or sibling. This suggests that genetic factors play a role in increasing a person’s risk of developing BED.
- Most people with BED have a history of dieting. Dieting or restricting eating during the day can lead to cravings at night, especially for those with depressive symptoms.
- Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety or anorexia nervosa can drive a person to eat to feel “comfortable” with their unresolved life problems.
Diagnosis of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Initially, the doctor will ask about family history and diet history and how long you have felt you have had this eating disorder, as well as other conditions related to risk factors.
To establish a diagnosis of BED according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5).
A person who suffers from BED must experience binge eating episodes at least once a week for a period of 3 months or more.
Complications of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
People with BED tend to be deficient in vitamins and minerals because most of the foods they eat are full of fat, sugar, and lack good nutritional value.
The majority of complications are conditions that accompany obesity. These include:
- Diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- High Cholesterol.
- Heart disease and stroke.
- Certain types of cancer.
- Gallbladder disease.
- Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders are associated with binge eating disorders.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) Treatment
BED treatment aims to reduce the frequency of binge eating episodes and improve the mental health of the sufferer. Some treatments for BED are:
- Counseling
By doing counseling can help someone overcome feelings such as guilt, shame, low self-esteem or even anxiety, depression, and other problems.
This method is usually carried out by professional experts, such as psychologists and psychiatrists (mental health specialists).
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is the therapy of choice for treating BED. This method can help sufferers understand their thoughts and feelings.
This therapy also teaches new ways to approach solving problems or conflicts, so that they can change their behavior.
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
This therapeutic approach focuses on identifying interpersonal conflicts as triggers for BED.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
DBT therapy approaches by identifying interpersonal relationship situations that can trigger emotional spikes and then using their own strengths.
Treatment with a therapist to calm yourself down, accept the emotion without having to do unnatural behavior. Thus it can help reduce binge eating episodes.
- Drug therapy
A doctor may prescribe medications that can help treat other mental disorders related to BED if a mental disorder is proven so that it can reduce or eliminate binge eating episodes.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) Prevention
There is actually no surefire way to prevent BED.
However, if you feel you are at high risk of developing BED, you can take the following steps to reduce your risk and prevent complications.
- Have a food diary
This can help a person to identify whether they have a problem with their food consumption.
In this way, you can identify what kind of eating patterns or types of food tend to trigger sudden false feelings of hunger, so you can avoid those types of food.
- Eat low-sugar foods
Low-sugar foods have a low glycemic index and will release sugar more slowly and more consistently throughout the day, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.
- Eat small portions more frequently
This method can help maintain a feeling of fullness throughout the day. Try to eat small portions frequently throughout the day.
When to See a Doctor?
If your family or close relatives have symptoms of eating disorders as described above, you should immediately discuss them with a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
This BED problem can have serious impacts on a person’s mental and physical health.