Self-knowledge of a binge eating disorder

Self-knowledge is enormously important in a binge eating disorder

27/11/2013

Repeated binge-eating attacks, in which enormous amounts are being swallowed or drunk, are characteristic of the so-called binge eating disorder. Those affected describe a feeling of loss of control in their attacks.

According to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), binge eating disorder is defined as a binge eating that consumes food that is well above average in a limited time. The affected person has the feeling that they can no longer stop eating. A difference to bulimia is that binge eating patients do not try to compensate for these binge eating by behaving differently. Bulimic patients usually vomit after eating, often practicing extreme sports or starvation to avoid gaining weight after their food cravings. For this reason, people with binge eating disorders are often overweight.

Negative feelings are often the trigger
How many people are affected by this disease is difficult to assess. Many often do not recognize in their behavior the need to seek medical help. According to international estimates, about one to three percent of the world's population has a binge eating disorder. The triggers of binge eating, according to experts include fear, anger, frustration or sadness. A low self-esteem, a little intact social environment or depressive symptoms also favor the emergence.

A study conducted in the US found that about 1.6 percent of women and 0.8 percent of men over the age of 18 were suffering from this eating disorder within a year. The disease, which has only been defined as independent since 1994, has been the least researched so far, in contrast to the other eating disorders.

Affected people need professional help
If you want to get a binge eating disorder under control, you must first admit to being ill. Only then can a trip to the doctor possibly remedy, explains Prof. Manfred Fichter of the German Society of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology (DGPPN) in Berlin. Because it fails because of many patients and afterwards most of them feel even worse than before. If one has understood his behavior as damaging to health, a counseling center or a specialist should first be consulted. Even specialized clinics can be chosen as the first point of contact.
Binge eating - sufferers experience their unrestrained eating orgasm according to Fichter as a kind of relaxation or relief. After that she feels a sense of shame or she is depressed. But in addition to mental stress, the overweight resulting from the eating disorder can also lead to high blood pressure and excessive joint strain. (Fr)

Picture: Lupo