Most people, at times, happen to eat more than usual, without it being a problem. However, there is a fine line between a mere circumstance of great food consumption and binge eating (binge eating disorder), a new eating disorder that "nourishes our emotions."
The main characteristics of binge eating (episodic overeating) is eating too much food and feeling unable to stop the incident, which occurs at least 2 times a week for more than 6 months. The high consumption of food happens when a person is unable to meet his/hers emotional needs (anger, sadness, anxiety, etc.).
The characteristics:
- Fast food consumption. A quantity much larger than usual, in a way that eventually the person feels discomfort.
- Sense of control loss.
- Eating secretively, because the person is ashamed of his/her behaviour.
- Feelings of disgust, depression, guilt and repulsion after the incident.
The main difference of binge eating from bulimia nervosa is that after the incident, the individual does not resort to "balancing" methods (vomiting, using laxatives, excessive exercise).
The type of food that is usually chosen for overeating incidents are delicious, low in nutrients (usually rich in sugar and fat, starchy foods or «junk food») and is used to "relieve" or "reward" the person. The food selection is based on previous experiences, which has its roots as far as childhood. For example, eating chocolate or other sweets, which have been used previously as a reward of good behavior or combined with pleasant events (celebrations, special occasions, etc.), supports, consciously or subconsciously, the idea that food has the power to generate pleasant feelings. As a consequence, the person uses this type of food in order to cover unpleasant feelings, searching for the "joy" that he/she felt when it was consumed in the past. This practice is called «comfort eating» or, loosely translated, 'comfort food' and is associated with various eating disorders, including binge eating. However, "comfort food" ultimately does not offer any real consolation, because eventually the person feels guilty, weak, a failure and has low self-esteem.
The diagnosis of binge eating and other eating disorders is very difficult, because the individuals often keep them "hidden" from those around them. The treatment of the disorder is implemented by a health specialist, who uses techniques such as cognitive restructuring, self-esteem enhancement, control of impulses and relapsing prevention. The ultimate goal of the treatment is, for the person, to realize and address the causes that lead to overeating crises and to break free from the vicious circle, created by the disorder.
Individuals that usually develop binge eating disorder:
- Young women - especially those very much troubled with their appearance and have as beauty role-models very thin, "anorexic" fashion models.
- People with acute stress and psychological problems (low self esteem, depression, etc.).
- People with increased body weight - without implying that all overweight people have binge eating disorder.
- People who have made many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight.
Often, people with binge eating have large weight variations because binge crises alternates with deprivation diets (complete fasting, skipping meals, etc.), leading to recycling weight phenomenon (yo-yo effect).
MARIA KOLOTOUROU
Clinical Dietician – Nutritionist MSc