Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
It can be difficult to know if you or a loved one has binge eating disorder (BED), let alone if you or a loved one needs treatment. This condition involves recurrent episodes of binge eating also known as compulsive overeating. Clinicians characterize these episodes as eating large amounts of food in a short period of time and feeling a loss of control over eating behaviors. Additionally, binge eating disorder is three times more common than anorexia and bulimia combined.
Overview of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Odyssey Behavioral Healthcare’s AVP of Clinical Services, Kate Fisch, LCSW, discusses binge eating disorder and how Aster Springs approaches treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
Individuals with binge eating disorder will often feel embarrassed by or ashamed of their eating habits. Symptoms, which can be difficult to notice, include:
- Recurrent episodes of binge eating characterized by consuming a large amount of food in a discrete period and feeling a lack of control over eating during the episode
- Eating more rapidly than normal
- Eating until uncomfortably full
- Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
- Eating alone due to shame about how much one is eating
- Feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after eating
- Experiencing feelings of stress or anxiety that can only be relieved by eating
- Feeling numb while bingeing
Health Consequences of Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder can lead to dire health consequences if left untreated, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia or sleep apnea
- High cholesterol levels
- Heart disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Muscle and/or joint pain
- Pancreatitis
How We Treat Binge Eating Disorder
To treat binge eating disorder, our clinicians create an individualized treatment plan for each client based on their specific needs and diagnosis. Some of the evidence-based clinical treatment modalities we utilize to treat binge eating disorder include:
REVIEWED BY
Kate Fisch, LCSW
Kate Fisch is the AVP of Clinical Services for Odyssey’s Eating Disorder Network. With 17 years of clinical leadership and direct client care experience in the eating disorders field, she has a history of innovation, clinical training, and resource development in a variety of eating disorder treatment settings supporting families, clients, and clinicians.
If you’d like to learn more about our binge eating disorder treatment program or our other treatment offerings, the compassionate team at Aster Springs is here to help.
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