What are the risks of not overcoming binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of being out of control during the binge; and feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty afterwards. Despite the fact that BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting 3.5% of women and 2% of men,1 it has received relatively little attention until recently.
Binge eating disorder is associated with numerous negative physical and psychological consequences. Individuals with BED are more likely to be obese and to suffer from complications related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.2,3 They are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety,4,5 which can lead to social isolation and impaired work or school performance.
Binge eating disorder can also lead to risky behaviors, such as drinking alcohol to excess, taking drugs, or engaging in risky sexual behavior.6 This is likely due to the fact that individuals with BED often use food to cope with negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, or boredom.7
left untreated, binge eating disorder can have serious consequences. Individuals with BED are at increased risk for obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.2,3 They are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety,4,5 which can lead to social isolation, impaired work or school performance, and even suicide.8
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, it is important to seek professional help. Treatment for binge eating disorder typically includes some form of counseling or psychotherapy, as well as medication.9,10 With treatment, individuals with BED can learn to control their binge eating and live happy, healthy lives..Original source
What are the first steps for seeking help for binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder. People with binge eating disorder often eat large amounts of food in a short period of time (bingeing) and feel that they cannot control their eating. They may feel ashamed, embarrassed, or disgusted with themselves after bingeing. Binge eating disorder is not the same as overeating on occasion. Binge eating disorder is a chronic, relapsing illness, and people who have it often struggle with the disorder for years.
If you or someone you know has symptoms of binge eating disorder, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health professional. Treatment can help people with binge eating disorder stop bingeing and return to healthy eating.
The first step in seeking help for binge eating disorder is to talk to your healthcare provider or a mental health professional. You may feel uncomfortable or even ashamed to talk about your eating habits, but it is important to tell your healthcare provider or mental health professional about your symptoms. They can help you decide if you need to be seen by a specialist for binge eating disorder.
If you are not sure if you have binge eating disorder, consider taking a self-test, such as the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE-Q), which is available online. The EDE-Q is a questionnaire that asks about your eating habits and thoughts about food and your body. You can also read about the symptoms of binge eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
Once you have decided to seek help, there are several treatment options available for binge eating disorder. Treatment usually involves seeing a mental health professional, such as a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type of therapy used to treat binge eating disorder. CBT helps you change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to your binge eating. Other types of therapy, such as interpersonal therapy (IPT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), may also be helpful.
In addition to therapy, your healthcare provider may also recommend medication to treat binge eating disorder. The most commonly used medications are antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and MAOIs. These medications can help reduce bingeing and other symptoms of binge eating disorder.
If you are struggling with binge eating disorder, know that you are not alone. There is help available, and treatment can make a difference.
Visit mengeredstoo.co.uk to learn more about overcoming binge eating disorder. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.