Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder is a potentially life-threatening disorder. Individuals who struggle with binge eating disorder frequently consume abnormally large amounts of food and feel as though they’re unable to stop eating, which can result in tragic consequences. Women and girls who are suffering from binge eating disorder generally feel embarrassed about overeating and pledge to stop. However, the impulses and urges to continue binge eating are often too much to ignore.
Common Signs of Binge Eating Disorder
Women and girls who have binge eating disorder often display behaviors that can be considered warning signs by friends and family members. These actions do not necessarily mean that she is suffering from binge eating disorder, but they merit a conversation.
Some examples of binge eating disorder warning signs include:
- Eating when not hungry
- Eating atypically large amounts of food within a two-hour window
- Dieting, possibly without weight loss
- Eating alone
- Feeling depressed, ashamed, or guilty about eating
- Fear of eating in public
- Frequently looking in the mirror
- Eliminating entire food groups from diet
Common Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
The symptoms of binge eating disorder go a step beyond the warning signs. For any woman or girl who displays some of the symptoms listed below, professional intervention is likely necessary.
It is important to note that while some women and girls who have binge eating disorders are overweight, those who maintain an average weight can still be susceptible.
Some examples of binge eating disorder symptoms include:
- Noticeable fluctuations in weight, whether up or down
- Breathing problems
- Cardiovascular concerns
- Trouble focusing
- Stomach cramps or additional gastrointestinal problems
Common Causes & Risk Factors of Binge Eating Disorder
There is little known about the specific causes of binge eating disorder, which typically begins in adolescence or young adulthood. However, some studies show that there are a few genetic and environmental risk factors that can lead to the development of binge eating disorder symptoms. These include:
- Genetic: Women and girls who have a family history of binge eating disorder, particularly in parents or siblings, are more prone to developing symptoms of binge eating disorder. Other factors may include a family or personal history of certain types of mental illness, and gender, as binge eating disorder is more common among women and girls.
- Environmental: Women or girls who have a history of dieting or restricting calories are more prone to developing binge eating disorder symptoms, as are those who experience stress or poor body self-image. Additional environmental risk factors include having parents or friends who display extreme dieting tendencies, and a childhood history of bullying or being teased about weight.
Effects of Binge Eating Disorder
The impact of binge eating disorder can be severe. Among the most common affects you might experience if binge eating disorder is not treated include:
- Self-harm
- Suicidal ideation
- Suicide attempts
- Diabetes or joint problems
- Loss of job or failure in school
- Development of substance use disorders
- Social isolation
Added weight and subsequent negative health effects are often a concern with binge eating disorder. Purging, fasting, and excessive exercise are not commonly associated with binge eating disorder, so some women and girls who are struggling with these behaviors often gain weight until they receive proper care.
Generally speaking, the severity of binge eating disorder depends on how often episodes of bingeing occur each week. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), the diagnostic level of severity is as follows:
- Mild: 1-3 binge eating episodes per week
- Moderate: 4-7 binge eating episodes per week
- Severe: 8-13 binge eating episodes per week
- Extreme: 14 or more binge-eating episodes per week
Common Underlying or Co-Occurring Disorders
It’s very common for people who struggle with symptoms of binge eating disorder to also suffer from other types of mental illness or addiction concerns. With overlapping diseases, these struggles can be more intense and harder to manage.
The providers at Ample Grace Psychiatry understand the potential severity of co-occurring disorders. During your time in our care, they will address any additional challenges you face along with binge eating disorder.