What is Binge Eating Disorder?

It’s normal to have the occasional ice cream binge or splurge at your favorite fast food joint. But when this becomes a frequent occurrence more times than not, and you find it hard to resist the urge to eat the whole tray of brownies, there may be something deeper going on.

We’ll discuss binge eating disorders and how they can be just as harmful as other addictions. 

This blog will answer the following questions:

• What is binge eating disorder?
• What are the symptoms of binge eating disorder?
• What causes binge eating disorder?
• Who is at risk for binge eating disorder?
• What are the complications of binge eating disorder?
• How is binge eating disorder treated?

What is Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious disorder where an individual experiences recurrent episodes of binge eating as a form of coping. These episodes can occur spaced out, happening once or twice a week or as frequently as multiple times a day.

What are the Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder?

Individuals may not be aware of an existing or developing BED until it has become a real problem. Being aware of the warning signs in both yourself and others can allow for early prevention and seeking support.

Symptoms of binge eating disorder include:

• Eating large amounts of food in one sitting
• Eating rapidly, not enjoying the food
• Feeling shameful or guilty after overeating
• Hiding food and eating habits from others
• Preferring to eat alone or in secret
• Loss of control with eating behavior
• Eating when stressed, anxious, upset, or depressed
• Eating until you’re uncomfortably full
• Eating to the point of feeling sick or needing to throw up
• Feeling “high” or euphoric following a bingeing session
• Frequent dieting
• Rewarding yourself with food
• Consistent or rapid weight gain
• Fluctuating body weight

What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?

Various factors may contribute to why someone develops BED. While there’s no definite cause of BED, some recognized risk factors include poor mental health, dieting, and family history, and a person’s development of BED is likely a combination of these factors.

Mental Health

People with existing mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, poor self-image, or not knowing how to deal with life circumstances may turn to unhealthy coping habits. What starts as a night of pigging out on comfort food after a stressful day can develop into an ongoing pattern and, in turn, an addiction.

Eating sugary and fatty foods releases dopamine in the brain, a feel-good chemical. The euphoria from a sugar high or bingeing on favorite foods can become addictive, triggering the brain’s reward system.

Dieting

Diets can be developed in a healthy or unhealthy manner. A problem arises when it turns into unreasonably restrictive eating that can cause malnutrition. A lack of calories can easily lead to episodes of bingeing as the brain (specifically the hypothalamus) sends signals to the stomach, giving you the sensations of hunger and cravings.

Dieting can coincide with poor self-esteem as well. An individual not seeing diet results may change to more severe forms of weight loss (“fad” diets, restrictive eating habits, choosing lower calorie, less nutritious foods).

Family History and Genetics

Like other addictions, such as alcoholism or smoking, observing another family member with BED may increase a person’s chances of developing the disorder. 

Abuse, trauma, substance disorders, and other stressors can also lead to bingeing as a coping mechanism.

According to a study at Boston University, BED can develop due to genetics. This was identified through gene mapping and gene validation, pinpointing cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein 2 (CYFIP2) as a major genetic risk factor for binge eating. 

Existing mental health problems, possibly inherited from parents, can also contribute to BED. Research shows that mental illness likely has a genetic component, especially when concurrent with environmental factors.

Who is at Risk for Binge Eating Disorder?

While anyone can be susceptible to an eating disorder under the right circumstances, research has found unique factors that contribute to an increased risk of developing BED.

Various research findings identify potential risk factors for developing BED.

• Age. In women, BED usually comes on in early adulthood, whereas the disorder shows in men around midlife.
• Dieting. Girls who diet frequently are 12 times as likely to binge as girls who don’t diet.
• Gender. Females are at higher risk of developing BED. The results, published in Biological Psychiatry, found that 3.5% of women and 2.0% of men had binge eating disorder during their life.
• Higher BMI. Among overweight and obese adults, those who experience weight-based stigmatization engage in more frequent binge eating.
• Mental Illness. One study found that 73.8% of patients with binge eating disorder had at least one other mental disorder.
• Existing Addiction. 24.8% of binge eating disorder sufferers have also struggled with a substance use disorder. Roughly 20% of men and women treated for substance use disorders reported binge eating.
• Trauma. According to another study, the majority of individuals with binge eating disorders had a history of interpersonal trauma. Likewise, people with binge eating disorders have significantly higher rates of PTSD than individuals without an eating disorder.

What are the Complications of Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder is characterized by eating large quantities of food in one sitting. 

Because BED is a recurring problem, the impact of consuming unhealthy amounts of food can lead to several health problems, including the following:

• Social anxiety and isolation
• Developing additional disorders (bulimia nervosa, anorexia, substance abuse, mood disorders)
• Weight gain
• Low energy
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Poor body image
• Cramping
• Heartburn
• High cholesterol and blood pressure levels
• Digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation, bloating)
• Acid reflux
• Skin problems (Dryness, acne, flare-up of existing eczema)
• Overall poor quality of life

Complications Associated with Obesity

• Type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Joint problems
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Sleeping disorders

While the risks vary depending on the severity of each BED case, this disorder can have serious consequences, sometimes lifelong. Catching BED in its tracks is the best way to prevent these complications from developing or worsening.

How is Binge Eating Disorder Treated?

BED harms a person’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Thankfully, this is a treatable disorder, and there’s hope for a full recovery. Typically, BED recovery, both on your own or through professional help, looks like taking the following steps:

• Attending therapy sessions or a support group
• Eating breakfast
• Increasing water intake
• Removing triggers (e.g., binge foods, certain restaurants, driving routes)
• Taking supplements or medications approved by your doctor
• Taking part in physical activity
• Establishing a consistent sleep schedule
• Practicing social eating, limiting eating alone
• Keeping a food diary to identify triggers and express emotions
• Maintaining accountability with trusted friends and family
• Practicing positive affirmations (“You are worthy of love,” “You can overcome this current challenge”)

Less severe cases of binge eating may be manageable on your own, but if you find the binge eating to be disrupting your life and health, you should reach out for professional help.

Soul Surgery’s Individualized Treatment for Eating Disorder Recovery

While BED is treatable, some of the more severe complications of the disorder may not be, and early intervention is essential to prevent life-long consequences. 

Soul Surgery’s eating disorder program, RevealED, provides an individualized, one-of-a-kind approach to recovery. We offer a variety of treatment methods, including revolutionized therapies, mental health services, holistic approaches, and much more.

Please reach out today to learn more about our programs. Recovery is possible, and we’re here to help make it happen.