Eating disorders New ways to treat binge eating

Binge eating or starvation: Physicians go for eating disorders new ways

09/29/2014

Thousands of people in Germany suffer from eating disorders. Not only thin-skinned lean models are affected by such mental illnesses. Physicians want to help sufferers now with a new approach to treatment. Important are prevention and early treatment.

Eating disorders often start at puberty
Some people are constantly eating scare, while others are starving themselves: thousands of people in Germany suffer from eating disorders. Physicians want to help sufferers now with a new treatment approach. „These disorders often begin in puberty, but then reach far into adulthood“, said the medical director of the supraregional center of excellence (KOMET) at the University of Tübingen, Stephan Zipfel, according to a dpa report. The newly established KOMET is unique in the world. In the facility, the treatment of eating disorders is not limited to a certain age and is also being researched and taught there.

Highest mortality of all mental illnesses
„Eating Disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses“, so Zipfel. In addition to anorexia and bulimia, these mental illnesses include the so-called „Binge Eating Disorder“, in which a patient eats a lot, but unlike bulimia does not vomit afterwards. According to a study by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), one fifth of all children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 in Germany show symptoms of an eating disorder. Last year, 15,200 people between the ages of 11 and 25 years were treated for eating disorders, nearly five percent of this age group, according to the National Association of Health Insurance Funds in the Southwest. It is striking that more and more boys are affected, obesity is common among them.

Prevention and early treatment
According to the information, the new center in Tübingen should improve both patient care and teaching and research in the field of eating disorders. Zipfel explained that prevention and early treatment are important. „We know that the sooner we can intervene, the better the chances for those affected.“ For example, a video game was developed, which teaches young people playfully and with movement, how stress can be managed - and not by eating or not. In addition, videoconferencing with patients who have left the center should avoid relapses.

Physical ailments from eating disorders
The importance of adequate treatment of eating disorders is also evident when looking at the many physical complaints that often accompany them. For example, in addition to insomnia, panic attacks or depression, anorexics can also develop problems such as underweight, intestinal complaints, stomach problems, cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis or organic damage. In addition, in some people with malnutrition symptoms such as low blood pressure, slow heart rate, loss of appetite, diarrhea or nausea. Experts repeatedly warn against the sometimes serious effects of eating disorders on their health and recommend a quick treatment. (Ad)