Binge eating explained

Binge eating
Field:Psychiatry
Symptoms:Eating addiction

Binge eating is a pattern of disordered eating which consists of episodes of uncontrollable eating. It is a common symptom of eating disorders such as binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. During such binges, a person rapidly consumes an excessive quantity of food. A diagnosis of binge eating is associated with feelings of loss of control.[1] Binge eating disorder is also linked with being overweight and obesity.[2]

Diagnosis

The DSM-5 includes a disorder diagnosis criterion for Binge Eating Disorder (BED). It is as follows:[3]

Warning signs

Typical warning signs of binge eating disorder include the disappearance of a large quantity of food in a relatively short period of time. A person who may be experiencing binge eating disorder may appear to be uncomfortable when eating around others or in public.[4] A person may develop new and extreme eating patterns that they have never done before. These might include diets that cut out certain food groups completely such as a no dairy or no carb diet. Binge eating can begin after a first attempt at dieting.[5] They might also steal or hoard food in unusual places. A person may be experiencing fluctuations in their weight. In addition, they may have feelings of disgust, depression, or guilt about overeating. Another possible warning sign of binge eating is that a person may be obsessed with their body image or weight.[6]

Furthermore, patients who binge eat may also engage in other self-destructing behaviours like suicide attempts, drug use, shop-lifting, and drinking too much alcohol.[7] [8] [9] [10] The onset of binge eating without dieting is linked to a higher risk of mental health issues and a younger age of onset. BED patients can experience comorbid psychiatric instability.

Causes

There are no direct causes of binge eating; however, long-term dieting, psychological issues and an obsession with body image have been linked to binge eating. There are multiple factors that increase a person's risk of developing binge eating disorder. Family history could play a role if that person had a family member who was affected by binge eating. Said person may not have a supportive or friendly home environment, and they have a hard time expressing their problems with BED. Having a history of going on extreme diets may cause an urge to binge eat. Psychological issues such as feeling negatively about oneself or the way they look may trigger a binge.[11]

Weight stigma has also been found to predict binge eating,[12] highlighting the importance of weight inclusive approaches to binge eating disorder that do not exercerbate this potential cause.

Health risks

There are several physical, emotional, and social health risks when associated with binge eating disorder. These risks include depression, anxiety, and heart disease.[13]

One study found that people with obesity who experience binge eating have a higher body mass index, and higher levels of depression and stress than those who did not have with binge eating disorder[14] Exposure to two major categories of risk factors—those that raise the risk for obesity and those that raise the risk for psychiatric disorders in general—can be associated with binge eating disorder.[15]

Effects

Typically, the eating is done rapidly, and a person will feel emotionally numb and unable to stop eating.[16] Most people who have eating binges try to hide this behavior from others, and often feel ashamed about being overweight or depressed about their overeating. Although people who do not have any eating disorder may occasionally experience episodes of overeating, frequent binge eating is often a symptom of an eating disorder.

BED is characterized by uncontrollable, excessive eating, followed by feelings of shame and guilt. Unlike those with bulimia, those with BED symptoms typically do not purge their food, fast, or excessively exercise to compensate for binges. Additionally, these individuals tend to diet more often, enroll in weight-control programs and have a history of family obesity.[17] However, many who have bulimia also have binge-eating disorder.

Along with the social and physical health that is affected when suffering from BED, there are psychiatric disorders that are often linked to BED. Some of them being but are not limited to: depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, substance abuse/use disorder.

Treatments

Current treatments for binge eating disorder mainly consist of psychological therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),[18] Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT),[19] and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).[20] A study conducted on the long term efficacy of psychological treatments for binge eating showed that both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and group interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) effectively treat binge eating disorder, with 64.4% of patients completely recovering from binge eating.[21]

Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, also known as Vyvanse, is the only medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder in adults as of 2024.[22] [23] [24] However, some studies have called into question its effectiveness for this indication.[25]

History

APA DSM

The American Psychiatric Association mentioned and listed binge eating under the listed criteria and features of bulimia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) - 3 in 1987. By including binge eating in the DSM-3, even if not on its own as a separate eating disorder, they brought awareness to the disorder and gave it mental disorder legitimacy. This allowed for people to receive the appropriate treatment for binge eating and for their disorder to be legitimized.

Drug therapy

In January 2015, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse), the first medication indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe binge eating disorder.[22] [23] [24]

Men with binge eating

Men with binge eating often face unique barriers to seeking treatment due to socio-cultural expectations surrounding masculinity. After men compare their bodies to the culturally constructed masculine ideals, they often develop heightened concerns about their own body image and internalize the belief that their bodies should be muscular, lean, and strong, developing unhealthy behaviors like binge eating or using fad diets.[26] [27] Many men hesitate to reach out for help out of fear of appearing weak, 'less like a man' or even homosexual.[28] [29] The pervasive stereotype that eating disorders primarily affect women has contributed to feelings of shame and isolation among men who are affected by these disorders. This gender-based stigma surrounding eating disorders and strongly feminine branding of eating disorder treatment centers create a significant barrier to men's willingness to reach out for support.[30] [31] [32] [33] Men are more likely to partake in compulsive or excessive exercising as a compensation to highly calorific diets, leading to body dysmorphia.[34]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mitchell JE, Devlin MJ, de Zwaan M, Crow SJ, Peterson C . Binge-Eating Disorder: Clinical Foundations and Treatment . 2007 . Guilford Press . 978-1-60623-757-1 . 4 . 15 September 2016.
  2. Wilson GT, Wilfley DE, Agras WS, Bryson SW . Psychological treatments of binge eating disorder . Archives of General Psychiatry . 67 . 1 . 94–101 . January 2010 . 20048227 . 3757519 . 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2009.170 .
  3. Web site: New in the DSM-5: Binge Eating Disorder. Marx R . 2014. 2020-02-19.
  4. Web site: Binge Eating Disorder. 26 February 2017. nationaleatingdisorder.org. 2020-02-19.
  5. Spurrell . E. B. . Wilfley . D. E. . Tanofsky . M. B. . Brownell . K. D. . 1996 . Age of onset for binge eating: Are there different pathways to binge eating? . International Journal of Eating Disorders . 21 . 1 . 55–65. 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199701)21:1<55::aid-eat7>3.0.co;2-2 . 8986518 .
  6. Dingemans AE, Bruna MJ, van Furth EF . Binge eating disorder: a review . International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders . 26 . 3 . 299–307 . March 2002 . 11896484 . 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801949 . free .
  7. Newton JR, Freeman CP, Munro J . Impulsivity and dyscontrol in bulimia nervosa: is impulsivity an independent phenomenon or a marker of severity? . Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica . 87 . 6 . 389–94 . June 1993 . 8356889 . 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1993.tb03393.x . 30555928 .
  8. Lacey JH . Self-damaging and addictive behaviour in bulimia nervosa. A catchment area study . The British Journal of Psychiatry: The Journal of Mental Science . 163 . 190–4 . August 1993 . 8075910 . 10.1192/bjp.163.2.190 . 6851594 .
  9. Stein D, Lilenfeld LR, Wildman PC, Marcus MD . Attempted suicide and self-injury in patients diagnosed with eating disorders . Comprehensive Psychiatry . 45 . 6 . 447–51 . 2004 . 15526255 . 10.1016/j.comppsych.2004.07.011 .
  10. Noma S, Uwatoko T, Ono M, Miyagi T, Murai T . Differences between nonsuicidal self-injury and suicidal behavior in patients with eating disorders . Journal of Psychiatric Practice . 21 . 3 . 198–207 . May 2015 . 25955262 . 10.1097/PRA.0000000000000067 . 11325055 .
  11. Hodges EL, Cochrane CE, Brewerton TD . Family characteristics of binge-eating disorder patients . The International Journal of Eating Disorders . 23 . 2 . 145–151 . March 1998 . 9503239 . 10.1002/(sici)1098-108x(199803)23:2<145::aid-eat4>3.0.co;2-k .
  12. Puhl R, Suh Y . Health Consequences of Weight Stigma: Implications for Obesity Prevention and Treatment . Current Obesity Reports . 4 . 2 . 182–190 . June 2015 . 26627213 . 10.1007/s13679-015-0153-z . 24953213 .
  13. Sheehan DV, Herman BK . The Psychological and Medical Factors Associated With Untreated Binge Eating Disorder . English . The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders . 17 . 2 . 27178 . 2015-04-23 . 26445695 . 4560195 . 10.4088/PCC.14r01732 .
  14. da Luz FQ, Hay P, Touyz S, Sainsbury A . Obesity with Comorbid Eating Disorders: Associated Health Risks and Treatment Approaches . Nutrients . 10 . 7 . 829 . June 2018 . 29954056 . 6073367 . 10.3390/nu10070829 . free .
  15. Hilbert . Anja . Bishop . Monica E. . Stein . Richard I. . Tanofsky-Kraff . Marian . Swenson . Anne K. . Welch . R. Robinson . Wilfley . Denise E. . March 2012 . Long-term efficacy of psychological treatments for binge eating disorder . The British Journal of Psychiatry . en . 200 . 3 . 232–237 . 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.089664 . 0007-1250 . 3290797 . 22282429.
  16. Book: Treatment Plans and Interventions for Bulimia and Binge-Eating Disorder . Zweig RD, Leahy RL . 2012 . Guilford Press . 978-1-4625-0494-7 . 28 . 4 October 2016.
  17. Book: Nolen-Hoeksema S . (Ab)normal Psychology. 2013. McGraw Hill. 978-0-07-803538-8 . 345–346.
  18. Peterson CB, Engel SG, Crosby RD, Strauman T, Smith TL, Klein M, Crow SJ, Mitchell JE, Erickson A, Cao L, Bjorlie K, Wonderlich SA . 6 . Comparing integrative cognitive-affective therapy and guided self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat binge-eating disorder using standard and naturalistic momentary outcome measures: A randomized controlled trial . The International Journal of Eating Disorders . 53 . 9 . 1418–1427 . September 2020 . 32583478 . 10.1002/eat.23324 . 220060441 .
  19. Tanofsky-Kraff M, Wilfley DE, Young JF, Mufson L, Yanovski SZ, Glasofer DR, Salaita CG . Preventing excessive weight gain in adolescents: interpersonal psychotherapy for binge eating . Obesity . 15 . 6 . 1345–1355 . June 2007 . 17557971 . 1949388 . 10.1038/oby.2007.162 .
  20. Rozakou-Soumalia N, Dârvariu Ş, Sjögren JM . Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Improves Emotion Dysregulation Mainly in Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis . Journal of Personalized Medicine . 11 . 9 . 931 . September 2021 . 34575707 . 8470932 . 10.3390/jpm11090931 . free .
  21. Hilbert . Anja . Bishop . Monica E. . Stein . Richard I. . Tanofsky-Kraff . Marian . Swenson . Anne K. . Welch . R. Robinson . Wilfley . Denise E. . March 2012 . Long-term efficacy of psychological treatments for binge eating disorder . The British Journal of Psychiatry . en . 200 . 3 . 232–237 . 10.1192/bjp.bp.110.089664 . 0007-1250 . 3290797 . 22282429.
  22. Muratore AF, Attia E . Psychopharmacologic Management of Eating Disorders . Current Psychiatry Reports . 24 . 7 . 345–351 . July 2022 . 35576089 . 9233107 . 10.1007/s11920-022-01340-5.
  23. Web site: HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. 2023-08-18.
  24. Web site: Fala . Loretta . Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate): First FDA-Approved Drug for the Treatment of Adults with Binge-Eating Disorder . American Health & Drug Benefits . 28 April 2016 . 25 April 2024.
  25. Heal DJ, Gosden J . What pharmacological interventions are effective in binge-eating disorder? Insights from a critical evaluation of the evidence from clinical trials . International Journal of Obesity . 46 . 4 . 677–695 . April 2022 . 34992243 . 10.1038/s41366-021-01032-9 . 245774555 .
  26. DeBate, R., Lewis, M., Zhang, Y., Blunt, H., & Thompson, S. H. (2008). Similar but different: Sociocultural attitudes towards appearance, body shape dissatisfaction, and weight control behaviors among male and female college students. American Journal of Health Education, 39(5), 296–302.
  27. Reel, J. J., & Beals, K. A. (2009). The hidden faces of eating disorders and body image. Sewickley, P.A.: AAHPERD Pubs.
  28. Collier . Roger . 2013-02-19 . Treatment challenges for men with eating disorders . CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association Journal . 185 . 3 . E137–E138 . 10.1503/cmaj.109-4363 . 0820-3946 . 3576452 . 23423277.
  29. Ray, S. L. (2004). Eating disorders in adolescent males. Professional School Counseling, 8(1), 98-101.
  30. Arnow . Katherine D. . Feldman . Talya . Fichtel . Elizabeth . Lin . Iris Hsiao-Jung . Egan . Amber . Lock . James . Westerman . Marcus . Darcy . Alison M. . 2017 . A qualitative analysis of male eating disorder symptoms . Eating Disorders . 25 . 4 . 297–309 . 10.1080/10640266.2017.1308729 . 1532-530X . 28394743. 41760127 .
  31. Björk . Tabita . Wallin . Karin . Pettersen . Gunn . 2012 . Male experiences of life after recovery from an eating disorder . Eating Disorders . 20 . 5 . 460–468 . 10.1080/10640266.2012.715529 . 1532-530X . 22985242. 22304036 .
  32. Räisänen . Ulla . Hunt . Kate . 2014-04-08 . The role of gendered constructions of eating disorders in delayed help-seeking in men: a qualitative interview study . BMJ Open . 4 . 4 . e004342 . 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004342 . 2044-6055 . 3987710 . 24713213.
  33. Oliffe . John L. . Phillips . Melanie J. . 2009 . Men, depression and masculinities: A review and recommendations . Journal of Men's Health . 5 . 3 . 194–202 . 10.1016/j.jomh.2008.03.016 . 1875-6867.
  34. Dalle Grave . Riccardo . Calugi . Simona . Marchesini . Giulio . 2012 . "Is amenorrhea a clinically useful criterion for the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa?" . . 46 . 12 . 1290–1294 . 10.1016/j.brat.2008.08.007 . 1873-622X . 18848697.

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