Binge-Eating Disorder
What is binge-eating disorder?
Symptoms
- a feeling of being out of control while eating
- feelings of strong shame or guilt towards eating
- eating alone because of a feeling of shame and secrecy
- eating continuously throughout the day
- overweight
- hiding or stockpiling food to eat in secret
- never feeling satisfied, no matter how much you eat (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014)
Possible causes of binge-eating disorder
Treatment Options
Myths/Misperceptions
- It's just an excuse to keep eating
- Binge eaters are just lazy
- Binge eating is a girl thing
- Binge eaters should just go on a diet
These are all common myths and misconceptions about binge-eating disorder that are all easy to disprove. Binge eating is not simply an excuse to keep eating or a bad habit, it is listed in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM), proving that it is an actual disorder. Many binge eaters are also very successful people with careers and families, unlike the common misconception that they are all simply lazy. For some reason binge eating is solely thought of as being a "girl thing", but in reality 2% of American men have a binge-eating disorder compared to 3-5%of American women (cbsnews). Binge-eating cannot be cured by dieting because it is an actual illness.
References
Nolen-Hoekesma, S. (2014). Abnormal Psychology. 6th edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
Binge Eating Disorder. (n.d.). NEDA feeding hope. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/binge-eating-disorder
Binge Eating Disorder Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Help. (n.d.). HELPGUIDE. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/binge_eating_disorder.htm#effects