Binge-Eating Disorder
What is Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)?
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) falls under the diagnostic criteria of "Eating Disorders – Not Otherwise Specified." Criteria for BED is met when an individual consumes large quantities of food within a discrete period of time (i.e., two hours). The amount of food consumed is more than what most others would eat in that same period of time under similar circumstances. Further, the individual experiences a lack of control over their eating within that timeframe. On average, binge episodes tend to occur twice a week for at least six months. An individual with BED consumes the food but does not purge, over-exercise, or use laxatives or diuretics to compensate for potential weight gain.
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Who has Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)?
BED effects about 2% of the general population and 8% of people who are obese. BED is more common in women, with three women effected for every two men. More often, those that enter treatment for BED tend to be age 30 or over. However, BED can effect any age group.
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Why would someone binge?
An individual may binge for a number of reasons:
- To numb painful or uncomfortable feelings
- Feeling out of control and unable to stop
- Feeling shame and guilt for eating
- Eating for emotional reasons, not always physical hunger
- Thinking about food 90-100% of the time during the day
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How do binge-eaters think and feel?
Individuals with a BED diagnosis tend to have the following beliefs about themselves:
- “I am unlovable”
- “I am unworthy”
- “I am damaged/faulty”
- “I am inadequate”
- “I am unacceptable”
These individuals' world views tend to include:
- World is an unsafe place: the individual believes that the world is an unsafe place and uses food as an attempt to control things and feel safe
- Body needs to be controlled: the individual believes their body needs to be controlled when in fact they do not have control over it
- Relationships are dangerous: the individual either has superficial relationships or tries to avoid them for fear of being hurt
- Need to be doing something: as with other eating disorders, the individual with BED feels they need to be doing something all the time because relaxing or sitting still is not productive
- Control is most important: the individual believes that if he/she is in control, then they are safe
- Self-Defective: the individual believes that they are defective and can easily rattle off a list of things wrong with them
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How does Alexian Brothers treat Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)?
There is treatment for the individual struggling with BED. At Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital , we work with those who have the BED diagnosis. While BED treatment is part of our general Eating Disorders programming, we also have those with BED meet together for their own unique process group and nutrition group.
We use the Self Regulatory Structural Process Model to allow the patient to be the expert. The goal is to empower the patient to reduce unhealthy behaviors by recognizing dysfunctional patterns of relating to others, self, and food. While working with the individual on healthy eating patterns, we also focus on the underlying issues surrounding their binging as well as learning new coping skills to deal with stressors.
While our program is not a weight loss program, the individual who is overweight will have a meal plan designed for a 1-2 pound per week weight loss. The initial goal is a 10% decrease in admission body weight, with a long-term goal of reaching Ideal Body Weight (IBW) or a healthy individualized weight.
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For further information, please contact Denise M. Styer, Psy.D., Clinical Director, at
denise.styer@abbhh.net
.
Individuals who would like to be assessed for treatment can call our Access Intake Department
at 1-800-432-5005 to set up an appointment, or can walk-in for our FREE assessment.
Free Confidential Assessment & Referrals
A counselor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and we are committed to prompt attention.
Please call us at 1-800-432-5005.
