Binge Eating Disorders - An Overview

Binge eating disorder, sometimes known to be compulsive overeating is yet another form of potential eating disorder. Eating disorders, as known to all, are mostly a mental illness of severe form, in which the emotional aspects of life as well as the thinking patterns of an individual play a great role in compelling him/her to adopt certain detrimental eating habits including starving or overeating. These habits are adopted as their means of coping up with their mental conditions like stress, anxiety or depression.

Binge eating disorder is one of those few mental conditions which are characterized by uncontrolled eating that cause’s rapid weight gain. People suffering from binge eating disorders tend to eat larger portions of foods and tend to lose control over their eating desires; they eat even if they are full. The behavior associated with binge eating disorder is almost the same as bulimia, but the difference lies in the fact that unlike bulimia patients, people suffering from this particular eating disorder do not purge themselves by vomiting or by using any laxatives as such.

Most of the people suffering from binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating feel that eating is the only way to cope up with the uncomfortable feelings that they have been experiencing. These people actually have no idea of dealing with stress and anxiety and amidst all these confusions, they end up eating excessively. And what adds fuel to fire is the fact that they feel guilty for eating so much which adds on to their stress and anxiety levels, thus worsening the condition.

Who gets affected?

Well, it’s difficult to say who can get affected, as it might strike you, me or for that matter anyone. But of course, the condition is prevalent in women than in men and begins while they are in their teens.

The Symptoms

Binge eating disorder is a serious complication, but its not that you are suffering from the condition if you simply overeat. It’s rather a prolonged condition. People suffering from binge eating disorders are likely to have some serious symptoms like

 Eating frequently and in larger potions which is otherwise regarded as abnormal eating
 Failing to control eating desires, eating up too much than one should normally do
 Eating faster than usual
 Eating till one is filled beyond the line
 Eating larger amounts of various foods when not actually hungry
 Sometimes eating alone due to embarrassment
 Weight fluctuations, excessive body weight.

The Probable Causes

There isn’t any exact cause of the condition as it is more of a mental complication. But researchers have been trying to draw some conclusions by observing the consequences of this peculiar disorder. Like most of the eating disorders, binge eating disorder is also caused by a combined effect of biological, psychological and some environmental factors.

Eating disorders can be treated by certain therapies and medicines as well. The person suffering from the condition needs to be properly observed and then treated. As it is a mental condition that involves lots of emotional upswings, proper care needs to be taken.