Binge eating disorder (BED) is a disorder of eating behavior, where sufferers often eat very large amounts and find it difficult to resist the urge to eat. Binge eating disorder has the potential to cause serious illnesses, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and even heart disease.
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder that is the opposite of anorexia. To find out more about the signs, causes, and how to handle BED, let us consider the following explanation.
Signs of Binge Eating Disorder
A person suffering from binge eating disorder usually often eats very large portions and has difficulty stopping or having difficulty resisting the urge to eat large amounts. After eating, he will often feel guilty, upset, or depressed due to his eating behavior.
Signs of symptoms of binge eating disorder or BED in a person can be recognized from:
- How to eat that is much faster than usual.
- Eat in large portions, even though you don't feel hungry.
- Eat a lot until it's too full and makes your stomach uncomfortable.
- Be alone when eating so other people don't know how much food he consumes.
- In some patients, BED can be accompanied by bulimia.
A person is said to have a BED if the above symptoms appear at least 1 time per week, within 3 months. In mild binge eating disorder, episodes of symptoms appear 1-3 times per week. In severe BED, episodes of symptoms can appear 8-13 times per week. Whereas in very severe BED, episodes of symptoms are experienced more than 14 times per week.
If not handled properly, binge eating disorder has the potential to cause several health problems, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. BED can also cause digestive disorders, such as bloating and constipation, even psychological disorders, such as anxiety disorders and depression.
What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?
Until now, the exact cause of this eating disorder binge eating disorder is unknown. However, there are several factors that are thought to increase a person's risk of having BED, including:
- There are family members who have a history of eating disorders.
- Have a history of psychiatric disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and alcohol or drug addiction.
- Disorders of chemicals in the brain that regulate eating patterns.
- Emotional trauma, for example due to being bullied, experiencing sexual violence, severe stress, or being left behind by a loved one.
- Overweight.
- Having a negative image or dissatisfaction with body shape.
To confirm the diagnosis, BED sufferers need to get an examination from a mental health specialist (psychiatrist), both in the form of physical examination and psychological examination.
If needed, the doctor will recommend additional tests, such as blood and urine tests. After the diagnosis of binge eating disorder is confirmed, the doctor will determine the method of treatment according to the risk factors or triggers, as well as the severity of the patient's BED.
How to deal with Binge Eating Disorder
In general, the goal of managing binge eating disorder is focused on improving patient eating behavior, increasing patient confidence, helping patients gain ideal body weight, and addressing other health problems that arise related to BED.
The method used to deal with binge eating disorder is psychotherapy and drug administration. In general, treatment methods that can be used to treat BED are:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
This therapy aims to help patients understand what are the triggers for BED symptoms, and train patients to divert the urge to eat with other activities.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is also useful to help patients control emotions, moods, and behavioral disorders that occur during episodes of BED symptoms.
Interpersonal psychotherapy
The goal of this therapy is to help the patient improve his interpersonal skills, such as how he interacts with family, friends, coworkers, including new people. That way, the symptoms of BED that are triggered by social relations or communication problems are expected to decrease. Usually this therapy method is combined with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Giving medicine
In addition to psychotherapy, handling binge eating disorder can also be done by giving drugs. Lisdexamfetamin dimesylate, topiramate antiepileptic drugs, and classes of antidepressant drugs are drugs that can be used to relieve the symptoms of binge eating disorder.
Helps control body weight
Binge eating disorder often makes it difficult for sufferers to maintain ideal body weight. Helping BED patients to get the ideal body weight is one important aspect of treatment. The expected target for weight loss is around half a kilogram per week.
In the process, the doctor will determine the amount and type of food consumed by the patient and help patients find effective ways to hold their appetite. With weight loss, patients are expected to be more confident and have a positive image of themselves, so that binge eating disorder can be reduced slowly.
If you experience symptoms of binge eating disorder or difficulty resisting the urge to overeat, do not hesitate to consult a doctor to get an examination.
The doctor will evaluate your overall health condition. If you are proven to suffer from binge eating disorder, the doctor will provide treatment according to your condition.
Comments
Post a Comment