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New effective online therapy for food cravings
A so-called binge eating disorder is characterized by pathological food cravings and is usually treated in behavioral individual sessions. Researchers have now found, however, that a guided Internet-based self-help form a good supplement to previous treatments or even completely replace them.
The scientists of the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the University of Leipzig found in their study that a behavioral self-help program, which is not anonymous and uses the Internet, can be helpful in the treatment of binge eating disorder. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "JAMA Psychiatry".
People with a so-called binge eating disorder suffer from uncontrolled binge eating. Physicians found that Internet-based therapy can effectively help treat the condition. (Image: JenkoAtaman / fotolia.com) What is a binge eating disorder?
When people suffer from binge eating disorders, they suffer from uncontrolled recurrent bingeing. In these, they consume a large amount of food, which of course can lead to a strong overweight.
Binge eating is often triggered by negative emotions
"The binge eating is usually triggered by negative emotions that are interrupted during the meal. With the help of a cognitive behavioral therapy, those affected learn to normalize their eating habits, to prevent further weight gain and to deal with their mental health problems other than through eating, "explains author Professor Dr. med. Martina de Zwaan, Director of the Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy of the Hannover Medical School (MHH).
New self-help program can be done regardless of location and time
Therapy places for the treatment of a binge eating disorder are very few. For this reason, the experts wanted to find out if a particular self-help program based on cognitive behavioral therapy can help with the treatment. Although this program was conducted over the Internet, it also included a personal interview, explain the scientists. In addition, contact during treatment was maintained through regular emails. "It can be started quickly and performed independently of time and place. In addition, many patients have fewer inhibitions to go through such a program than to go to therapeutic sessions, "explains author de Zwaan.
Physicians examine 180 subjects
The study on the subject was supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. A total of seven German centers participated in the study and about 180 subjects were examined. The treatment of binge eating disorder included twenty contacts with therapists per week, with a total duration of more than four months.
Self-help program reduced binge eating, depressive moods and worries about weight issues
Half of the subjects use the behavioral individual sessions with a therapist. The second half of the participants participated in the self-help program with contact by e-mail, explain the researchers. The results show that the binge eating was significantly reduced in all subjects. In addition, various other factors, such as depressive moods, anxiety and worry about weight, have also decreased, the researchers explain.
A personal therapy achieves the effect faster
There was the difference that personal therapy led to success faster. Immediately after treatment, these subjects had significantly fewer binges compared to the other treatment group. This effect could still be detected six months after the treatment. After a period of 18 months, however, the effects of the various treatments had been balanced. In both groups the bingeing had decreased at this time.
Internet-based therapy is a good alternative
"This non-anonymous Internet-based therapy is therefore a good alternative. It can also be used to bridge the time to the beginning of a personal therapy. Therefore, it should be integrated into the health system, "says Professor de Zwaan in a press release of the Hannover Medical School.
Personal talks better for the treatment of suicidality and severe mental suffering
However, there are other important points to consider when treating binge eating disorder. because the disease can cause suicidality and other serious mental illnesses, which can be better treated through personal interviews, restrict the researchers. (As)