Binge Eating Disorder Cure

It is normal for people to overeat at certain times. Thanksgiving Day is a perfect example, when you are sprawled out on Aunt Rita's couch with a bloated stomach, watching the Macy's Day Parade. It is not normal, however, to eat that way every day and at every meal. Binge eating disorder is a condition where people stuff themselves and continue eating after they feel full.

The Facts

• Binge eating disorder is also called compulsive overeating. People who suffer from this disorder do not want to be overweight but cannot stop themselves from eating. This disorder is dangerous, as overeating causes obesity, which in turn can increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes. Obesity is linked to many different types of cancer, including: colon, endometrial, gall bladder, kidney, prostate and postmenopausal breast cancer. It is important to understand the underlying cause of a person's binge eating so it can be treated promptly.

Symptoms

• People suffering from a binge eating disorder exhibit both behavioral and emotional symptoms. Some behavioral symptoms that indicate binge eating are inability to control what you are eating or to stop eating, eating large amounts of food quickly, hiding food and secretly eating it, eating when you are full, gorging when you are alone and eating normally when you are with other people and eating constantly throughout the day. Emotional symptoms of binge eating include embarrassment, tension that only improves with eating, never feeling satisfied, feeling numb when overeating, desperation and guilt.

Causes

• Binge eating disorder has many causes. It can have biological causes, such as a malfunctioning hypothalamus that is not telling the brain that you are full. There is also a genetic mutation that causes food addiction, which plays a big role in binge eating. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that can trigger binge eating. People who are suffering from depression, low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and loneliness are more susceptible to become compulsive eaters. Parents who use food to reward and comfort their children may be creating a future binge eater.

Therapy

• To cure binge eating, you must cure the underlying cause that is triggering the disorder. Emotional eating is common among binge eaters, so a psychologist or therapist can be useful in treating this disorder. Some common compulsive eating treatments include cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy. Group therapy and support groups can work wonders as well. They are beneficial because they allow you to talk to others that know how you feel and can empathize with you. Tips and tricks can be shared to help combat compulsive eating.

Medication

• Medication can be useful when it comes to treating binge eating. Certain medications can help to reduce the overeating sessions, speed weight loss and improve body mass. Some commonly prescribed medications for compulsive eating are antidepressants and appetite suppressants. A seizure medication called Topamax can also help to decrease overeating and help you lose weight, but it is linked to some serious side effects, such as dizziness and fatigue. Talk with your doctor to see which type of treatment would be most beneficial for you.