You may be suffering form Binge Eating Disorder if you find yourself overeating often, having difficulty controlling the bingeing, and are distressed by this behavior.
The American Psychiatric Association defines Binge Eating Disorder as the following:
Binge Eating Disorder
A. Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
1. eating, in a discrete period of time (for example, within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances
2. a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (for example, a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
B. The binge-eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
1. eating much more rapidly than normal
2. eating until feeling uncomfortably full
3. eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
4. eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
5. feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterwards
C. Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.
D. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months.
E. The binge eating is not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behavior (for example, purging) and does not occur exclusively during the course Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.Compulsive overeating and food addiction are also common terms used when discussing Binge Eating Disorder. The person struggling with compulsive overeating has a preoccupation with food. Nightime eating and eating in secret is common, and binges can last for up to 2 hours. Some people find themselves eating in their car after visiting several fast food restaurants.
It is difficult for the person to avoid the temptation to eat, as they feel a compulsion to binge, and they tend to eat to the point of feeling extremely uncomfortable or even sick.
People with a food addiction are using food to deal with their problems and negative emotions. It is important to learn how to develop a healthy relationship with food which would be eating for health and nutrition, and not to meet emotional needs. Treatment goals also include discovering emotional triggers and developing appropriate skills to cope with life stressors.
Treatment Options
Treatment options which have been successful with helping people with Binge Eating Disorder are individual therapy, group therapy, medication, and self-help books and programs. It is important to discuss which options would be best for you with a licensed mental health practitioner.
Individual Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This form of psychotherapy takes a focused, problem-solving approach to helping the person struggling with Binge Eating Disorder. CBT helps the person learn to change their thinking, which then affects their emotional and behavioral responses to problems.
Changing how we think can help us to feel better, which in turn, has a positive influence on our behavior. CBT helps the person to better understand their thoughts and feelings.
Interpersonal psychotherapy
CBT has been studied and has been proven effective in helping people make changes. It is a time-limited and goal-oriented approach to problem-solving.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
This type of therapy focuses on improving the person's relationship with others. The focus is on building interpersonal skills, including communicating effectively.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is when a therapist facilitates a group at a mental health clinic or other treatment center.
While I was working as a therapist at a mental health clinic a few years ago, I temporarily ran a group on compulsive overeating. I met weekly with a wonderful group of women who shared their feelings, struggles, and successes with me and their fellow group members.
I admired their bravery and motivation. They shared their weekly temptations and their attainment of personal goals. They were a great support system for one another. I am writing this to let you know that if you, or someone you know, is struggling in this way, there are options available to help you make a difference in your life and to learn alternative coping skills.
Medication
Antidepressants are most commonly prescribed and work best in conjuction with therapy.
Topiramate (Topamax) is an anticonvulsant medication which has been used in treating binge eating. However, the side effects for this medication can be serious.
Self-help
This category is broad and can include self-help groups where participants rotate as the facilitator, as well as self-help books and manuals available to help the person work through issues pertaining to Binge Eating Disorder.
Overeater's Anonynous (OA) is a 12-step program offering help to people who have problems related to food, by providing peer support.
Resources
Overeater's Anonymous has a website for you to visit to decide if this would be something that would be beneficial for your. They also have online and telephone meetings.
The National Eating Disorders Association is a not-for-profit organization in the United States. This association works to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals. Their telepone number is 1-800-931-2237.
Food Addicts Anonymous is another program helping people recover from food addiction and offers online support/forums.
Books
The following books I have either heard about while I was working as a therapist, or from research I have done on this topic. They are sold at Amazon for reasonable prices. I would recommend reading the book description and customer reviews at Amazon to help you determine if one of these book(s)could be beneficial to you.
Food Addiction: The Body Knows: Revised and Expanded Edition by Kay Sheppard
The author is a therapist, eating disorder specialist and recovering food addict. Her books have helped many people struggling with food addiction.
This book defines food addiction, discusses trigger foods and features a lifetime eating plan.
From the First Bite: A Complete Guide to Recovery from Food Addiction by Kay Sheppard
This book includes personal stories from both the author and other food addicts, discusses physiological and situational triggers to eating and confronting emotional issues. This book also features a 12-step workbook and a food plan.
You can also visit Kay Sheppard's website for additonal information and an internet support group.
Why Weight by Geneen Roth
When I facilitated the Compulsive Overeating therapy group, we used this book as a guide for our discussions and homework for the group members. She has many books on the subject that you might want to check out. This particular book is in workbook format. There are exercises and steps to work through that will provide you with invaluable insight into your emotions and behavior.
Overcoming Binge Eating by Dr. Christopher Fairburn
Dr. Fairburn is a professor of Psychiatry and an expert on eating disorders. His book features a self-help program which was recently featured in a binge eating study.
A study conducted by the researchers at the Center for Health Researchhad participants read Dr. Fairburn's book, which provides information about binge eating and includes a six-step self-help program.
During this study, participants also attended eight therapy sessions where they were informed about cognitive behavioral therapy and how to apply the strategies used in Dr. Fairburn's book.
Researchers found that after participants completed this self-guided 12-week program, many of them who were binge-eaters, had not binged up to a year after the study.
Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program that Works by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch (paperback)
They also have an audio CD titled:
Intuitive Eating: A Practical Guide to Make Peace with Food, Free Yourself from Chronic Dieting, Reach Your Natural Weight
This book has helped many people who have an unhealthy relationship with food. The authors teach about the importance of nurturing your body and listening to when you are hungry and full. They discuss eating whatever you like in moderation and letting go of feelings such as guilt.
Anatomy of a Food Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating: An Effective Program to Overcome Compulsive Overeating by Anne Katherine
This author is also able to relate to the readers as she has struggled with and has overcome overeating. Her book describes a chemical reaction in our brain that causes food cravings. She discusses abstaining from certain foods in order to put an end to these cravings, and outlines a step by step plan for recovery.
Return from Binge Eating to Weight Loss Tips for Life
The American Psychiatric Association defines Binge Eating Disorder as the following:
Binge Eating Disorder
A. Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
1. eating, in a discrete period of time (for example, within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances
2. a sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (for example, a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating)
B. The binge-eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
1. eating much more rapidly than normal
2. eating until feeling uncomfortably full
3. eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
4. eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
5. feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterwards
C. Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.
D. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for three months.
E. The binge eating is not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behavior (for example, purging) and does not occur exclusively during the course Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.Compulsive overeating and food addiction are also common terms used when discussing Binge Eating Disorder. The person struggling with compulsive overeating has a preoccupation with food. Nightime eating and eating in secret is common, and binges can last for up to 2 hours. Some people find themselves eating in their car after visiting several fast food restaurants.
It is difficult for the person to avoid the temptation to eat, as they feel a compulsion to binge, and they tend to eat to the point of feeling extremely uncomfortable or even sick.
People with a food addiction are using food to deal with their problems and negative emotions. It is important to learn how to develop a healthy relationship with food which would be eating for health and nutrition, and not to meet emotional needs. Treatment goals also include discovering emotional triggers and developing appropriate skills to cope with life stressors.
Treatment Options
Treatment options which have been successful with helping people with Binge Eating Disorder are individual therapy, group therapy, medication, and self-help books and programs. It is important to discuss which options would be best for you with a licensed mental health practitioner.
Individual Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This form of psychotherapy takes a focused, problem-solving approach to helping the person struggling with Binge Eating Disorder. CBT helps the person learn to change their thinking, which then affects their emotional and behavioral responses to problems.
Changing how we think can help us to feel better, which in turn, has a positive influence on our behavior. CBT helps the person to better understand their thoughts and feelings.
Interpersonal psychotherapy
CBT has been studied and has been proven effective in helping people make changes. It is a time-limited and goal-oriented approach to problem-solving.
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
This type of therapy focuses on improving the person's relationship with others. The focus is on building interpersonal skills, including communicating effectively.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is when a therapist facilitates a group at a mental health clinic or other treatment center.
While I was working as a therapist at a mental health clinic a few years ago, I temporarily ran a group on compulsive overeating. I met weekly with a wonderful group of women who shared their feelings, struggles, and successes with me and their fellow group members.
I admired their bravery and motivation. They shared their weekly temptations and their attainment of personal goals. They were a great support system for one another. I am writing this to let you know that if you, or someone you know, is struggling in this way, there are options available to help you make a difference in your life and to learn alternative coping skills.
Medication
Antidepressants are most commonly prescribed and work best in conjuction with therapy.
Topiramate (Topamax) is an anticonvulsant medication which has been used in treating binge eating. However, the side effects for this medication can be serious.
Self-help
This category is broad and can include self-help groups where participants rotate as the facilitator, as well as self-help books and manuals available to help the person work through issues pertaining to Binge Eating Disorder.
Overeater's Anonynous (OA) is a 12-step program offering help to people who have problems related to food, by providing peer support.
Resources
Overeater's Anonymous has a website for you to visit to decide if this would be something that would be beneficial for your. They also have online and telephone meetings.
The National Eating Disorders Association is a not-for-profit organization in the United States. This association works to prevent eating disorders and provide treatment referrals. Their telepone number is 1-800-931-2237.
Food Addicts Anonymous is another program helping people recover from food addiction and offers online support/forums.
Books
The following books I have either heard about while I was working as a therapist, or from research I have done on this topic. They are sold at Amazon for reasonable prices. I would recommend reading the book description and customer reviews at Amazon to help you determine if one of these book(s)could be beneficial to you.
Food Addiction: The Body Knows: Revised and Expanded Edition by Kay Sheppard
The author is a therapist, eating disorder specialist and recovering food addict. Her books have helped many people struggling with food addiction.
This book defines food addiction, discusses trigger foods and features a lifetime eating plan.
From the First Bite: A Complete Guide to Recovery from Food Addiction by Kay Sheppard
This book includes personal stories from both the author and other food addicts, discusses physiological and situational triggers to eating and confronting emotional issues. This book also features a 12-step workbook and a food plan.
You can also visit Kay Sheppard's website for additonal information and an internet support group.
Why Weight by Geneen Roth
When I facilitated the Compulsive Overeating therapy group, we used this book as a guide for our discussions and homework for the group members. She has many books on the subject that you might want to check out. This particular book is in workbook format. There are exercises and steps to work through that will provide you with invaluable insight into your emotions and behavior.
Overcoming Binge Eating by Dr. Christopher Fairburn
Dr. Fairburn is a professor of Psychiatry and an expert on eating disorders. His book features a self-help program which was recently featured in a binge eating study.
A study conducted by the researchers at the Center for Health Researchhad participants read Dr. Fairburn's book, which provides information about binge eating and includes a six-step self-help program.
During this study, participants also attended eight therapy sessions where they were informed about cognitive behavioral therapy and how to apply the strategies used in Dr. Fairburn's book.
Researchers found that after participants completed this self-guided 12-week program, many of them who were binge-eaters, had not binged up to a year after the study.
Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program that Works by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch (paperback)
They also have an audio CD titled:
Intuitive Eating: A Practical Guide to Make Peace with Food, Free Yourself from Chronic Dieting, Reach Your Natural Weight
This book has helped many people who have an unhealthy relationship with food. The authors teach about the importance of nurturing your body and listening to when you are hungry and full. They discuss eating whatever you like in moderation and letting go of feelings such as guilt.
Anatomy of a Food Addiction: The Brain Chemistry of Overeating: An Effective Program to Overcome Compulsive Overeating by Anne Katherine
This author is also able to relate to the readers as she has struggled with and has overcome overeating. Her book describes a chemical reaction in our brain that causes food cravings. She discusses abstaining from certain foods in order to put an end to these cravings, and outlines a step by step plan for recovery.
Return from Binge Eating to Weight Loss Tips for Life