What are the first steps for seeking help for binge eating disorder?
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, it’s important to seek professional help. Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder that requires specialized treatment. The first step is to talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional to get a proper diagnosis. Once you have a diagnosis, you can work with a treatment team to create a customized treatment plan.
Binge eating disorder is characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating. Binge eating episodes are defined as eating a large amount of food in a short period of time (usually within 2 hours) and feeling out of control during the binge. People with binge eating disorder often feel ashamed, embarrassed, and guilty after a binge. Binge eating episodes are often followed by purging behaviors, such as vomiting or using laxatives, to get rid of the extra calories.
While anyone can develop binge eating disorder, there are certain risk factors that may make someone more susceptible to the disorder. These include:
• A history of dieting or yo-yo dieting
• A history of weight cycling (gaining and losing large amounts of weight)
• A history of food restriction
• A history of trauma or abuse
• A family history of eating disorders or other mental health disorders
• having a low body mass index (BMI)
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be struggling with binge eating disorder, there are some key signs and symptoms to look out for. These include:
• Eating large amounts of food in a short period of time
• Eating even when you’re not hungry
• Eating to the point of discomfort or feeling stuffed
• Eating alone or in secret to avoid embarrassment
• feeling out of control during a binge
• feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or guilty after a binge
• engaging in purging behaviors after a binge, such as vomiting or using laxatives
If you are struggling with binge eating disorder, it’s important to seek professional help. Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder that requires specialized treatment. The first step is to talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional to get a proper diagnosis. Once you have a diagnosis, you can work with a treatment team to create a customized treatment plan.
Some people may be reluctant to seek help for binge eating disorder because they are embarrassed or ashamed of their eating habits. Others may not realize that their eating habits are problematic. It’s important to remember that binge eating disorder is a serious medical condition that requires treatment. If you are struggling with binge eating disorder, please seek professional help..Click here for info
How common is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) was first recognized as a distinct disorder in the 2013 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). BED is now considered the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting 3.5% of women, 2.0% of men, and 1.6% of adolescents.
Despite its high prevalence, binge eating disorder is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Part of the reason for this may be that binge eating disorder was not recognized as a separate diagnosis until recently. Binge eating disorder is also often confused with other disorders, such as bulimia nervosa and obesity.
Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating. A binge is defined as eating an excessive amount of food in a short period of time (usually within 2 hours) and feeling out of control during the episode. Binge eating episodes are associated with feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment. They are usually followed by punishing behaviors such as purging (via vomiting, use of laxatives, or excessive exercise), fasting, or excessive compensatory exercise.
Binge eating disorder can have serious consequences on one’s physical and mental health. People with BED are more likely to be obese, have type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. They are also at increased risk for developing depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
If you think you or someone you know may have binge eating disorder, it is important to seek professional help. Binge eating disorder is treatable, and many people who seek treatment recover from the disorder.
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