A Guide to Binge Eating Disorder
Gaining control over your heatlh
target
how does it feel like
after the binge they feel depressed, disgusted, ashamed
sometimes they are so ashamed that they hide from family and friends and eat alone until they feel sick
the stress or tension that they're feeling is only relieved by eating
health impact
most have mental health problems (e.g. depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anxiety)
they feel stressed, have low self esteem or body image shame
what causes BED?
stressful/ traumatic life events, like the death of a loved one, or being teased about weight
some people are extra sensitive to food cues ( smells or images of food )
the hypothalamus may not be sending correct messages about hunger and fullness
low serotonin level in the brain
there is hope
the target is to develop a healthier relationship with food, that meets the nutritional needs, and not the emotional ones
the first step is getting a diagnostic from a specialistguidance to a psychiatrist who can perform different therapies ( cognitive - behavioral, interpersonal psychotherapy or dialectical behavior therapy), depending of the trigger factors involved in the disorder
a nutritionist will guide the person towards healthy eating habits
sometimes certain medications such as antidepressants or specific anti-seizure drugs may be prescribed 'off label' in order to control food cravings
in order to lose the extra pounds and keep them off for good, it is useful to apply to a weight loss program
we all can help
it is very important to know that you can't force them to change, and that the recovery must come from themselves
you can help by offering your compassion, encouragement and support throughout the treatment process