Binge eating disorder
Although only recently recognised as an eating disorder, binge eating disorder (BED) is in fact fairly common. This self help page aims to help you understand BED - the causes, symptoms and the treatment available.
What is BED?
BED is an eating disorder characterised by overeating in binges, often when you are not hungry. Unlike bulimia, you do not make yourself sick after bingeing, or take laxatives. In the long term, this can lead to being overweight.
What causes BED?
Although BED is on the increase, we know little about what causes it. What we do know is that it starts when food is used to control feelings.
BED is strongly associated with depression. Anxiety, low self-esteem, stress and general difficulties in coping can contribute to BED.
Research also suggests that your genes and your family's attitude towards food can make you more likely to suffer from BED.
Who gets BED?
BED affects both men and women equally, at any age, but it's most common between the ages of 20 and 40.
What are the signs of BED?
Not everyone will show the same signs, but the most common are:
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binge eating when you are not hungry;
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eating until you are uncomfortably full;
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eating alone because you are embarrassed about how much you have eaten;
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feeling out of control around food; and
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feeling ashamed, depressed or guilty after bingeing.
The effects of BED
Binge eating disorder can lead to serious physical and psychological problems over time, including:
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depression
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lack of fitness and general ill health from a lack of healthy nutrition;
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obesity and its associated illnesses, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart
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disease and diabetes;
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problems with relationships;
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stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and social isolation; and
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an increased likelihood of developing certain cancers.
How does BED affect family life?
BED affects the whole family. Loved ones often find it hard to understand that an eating disorder is actually about feelings and coping, rather than food. This can lead to misunderstandings and arguments, particularly at meal times.
Most families benefit from family help aimed at supporting and managing any difficult relationships.
Can I recover from BED?
Even after many years with the illness, most people recover completely with the right treatment, although they may experience setbacks along the way.
How is BED treated?
BED needs specialist help to treat both the psychological causes and its physical side effects.
Contacting your GP is often the easiest way to get help and further treatment. He or she may offer you counselling or dietary counselling, or refer you to a specialist for further assessment. This may lead to outpatient treatment or, if more serious, day or inpatient treatment.
If you're worried about talking to your GP, you can:
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consider writing down your concerns and questions;
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take a friend or family member with you;
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see another doctor in the practice; or
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join a new GP practice.
The type of professional support offered will depend on the services that are available in your area and the arrangements that your primary care trust (PCT) has with other health authorities or private providers. Specialist treatment for eating disorders is also available privately through the Priory Group.
Family and friends can also help through their support and care. It is particularly helpful for relatives to understand that your eating disorder is your way of coping with emotional difficulties, and that you may have mixed feelings about changing your eating patterns.
Therapies used to treat BED include dietary counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). Other forms of talking therapy are also helpful. CBT has become more popular over the past few years and can reduce symptoms by identifying, challenging and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and beliefs that lead to bingeing. Specific antidepressant medication can also help reduce your urge to binge as well as to treat any depressive symptoms.
Self help
Self help may be useful as the first stage of treatment or alongside other treatments. There are many different types of self help publications and you need to find the right one for you. The Eating Disorders Association has a list of self help publications, and many of them are available from the EDA bookshop.
Self help groups can be a useful support but they do not replace professional treatment. However, they can help sufferers and families understand that they are not alone, and offer valuable support and practical advice.
Finding help
If you feel that you or a close relative are affected by binge eating disorder and would like help or more information, you can ask your GP or contact any of the following organisations:
Eating Disorders Association
0845 634 1414 (www.edauk.com) Helpline email: helpmail@edauk.com
NHS Direct (England and Wales)
0845 4647 (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)
NHS 24 (Scotland)
08454 242424 (www.nhs24.com)
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
0207 067 5800 (www.nice.org.uk)
Priory
0845 2 774 679 (www.priorygroup.com)
If you suspect you've got a problem with eating, call 0845 2 774 679 to find out how Priory can help. Lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are interested in receiving treatment from us, your GP will be able to refer you.
If you or your relative have private medical insurance, your insurer will probably insist that your GP refers you to us.
Why should I choose Priory?
Our service
At Priory, our committed and professional staff provide the highest standards of care, understanding and service for everyone. This service brings hope and confidence, allowing our patients to take control of their lives within a safe and secure environment.
Expertise and innovation
Through our close links with the public and private sectors, we've developed the expertise and innovation to offer consistent and successful treatment. As Europe's leading independent provider of specialist mental health, neuro-rehabilitation and special education services, we bring experience and an excellent reputation.
We admit patients 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For more information on Priory eating disorder services please click here.
Specialist Priory eating disorder units
Treatment for adults over 18 years old
Treatment for children under 18 years old
This document has been edited by Dr Alex Yellowlees, with the support of the Eating Disorders Association (www.edauk.com) and Plain English Campaign (www.plainenglish.co.uk)
For more information on Binge eating disorder please click here to download our self-help leaflet.