Binge eating disorder

Overview

Like bulimia and anorexia, binge eating is a psychological eating disorder. A variety of factors influence the development of this disorder, such as stress, low self-esteem and frustration. This leads to compulsive episodes of overeating and eating very large amounts of food, usually in secret. It's important to discuss such symptoms with a specialist.

Symptoms

• Compulsive episodes of binge eating
  • Loss of control
  • Eating very large amounts of food
  • Eating without being hungry
  • Eating until you feel uncomfortably full
  • Eating very fast (bolting food)
• No measures to reduce weight (in contrast to bulimia)
  • No vomiting
  • No laxatives
• Eating disorder
  • Periodic
  • Chaotic
  • In secret, not in public
  • Distorted perception of satiation
• Dissatisfaction with own body
  • Embarrassment, shame and disgust (in particular after episodes of binge eating)

Consequences

• Metabolic syndrome
  • Overweight, obesity
  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Dyslipidaemia
• Sleep apnoea
• Joint trouble
• Depression

Causes and treatment

Causes

Coincidence of several causes

• Emotional lability, frustration
• Low sense of self-worth
• Personal stress situations
• Unhealthy relationship with food
• Dissatisfaction with figure, weight (body image)

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

• Psychological counselling
• Physical examination
• Blood test

Possible therapies

Objective: regaining control over eating habits

• Psychological measures (incomplete list)
  • Psychotherapy
  • Behavioural therapy
• Anti-depressants (medication), if necessary
• Options for losing weight (not the main objective of therapy), see:
  • Excess weight and obesity
  • Metabolic syndrome

What can I do myself?

• Gain understanding
  • Own situation
  • Eating disorder
  • Background
  • Options
• Involve other people
  • Accept help
  • Open up to the outside
• Eating behaviour
  • Regaining of self-control
  • Healthy, balanced diet
  • Regularity
  • Reduce amounts
  • Don't use food as a coping mechanism

When to see a doctor?

• Episodes of bingeing
  • Gobbling of food
  • Loss of control
  • Excessive amounts
  • Distorted feelings of hunger/satiation
• Feeling unwell for a lengthy period
• Obesity
• Psychological strain

Further information

Schweizer Gesellschaft für Essstörungen SGES (Swiss Association for Eating Disorders)
www.sges-ssta-ssda.ch

Arbeitsgemeinschaft Ess-Störungen AES (Association for Eating Disorders)
www.aes.ch

Synonyms

binge eating disorder, binge eating, eating disorder, BED, bingeing attack, snack attack, excessive eating, compulsive eating, overeating