Some of the commonly used drugs for treating binge eating disorder are noted below:

Anticonvulsants

This particular group of drugs was meant for treating seizures caused due to epilepsy. Topamax (Topiramate) is the drug used as an anticonvulsant. During the clinical trials of this drug, it was found that weight loss was a commonly noted side effect.  Further researches revealed that Topamax can not only treat binge eating disorders and body weight related issues, but it can as well treat obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Topamax is given along with some other drugs in adjunction for effective treatment of OCD and other such psychiatric conditions.

Although effective, there are some major side effects of the drug that cannot be overlooked. It can cause double vision. Blurred vision, unsteadiness or clumsiness, drowsiness, dizziness and other such health complications are often noticed in people taking these medications.

SSRI Medications

SSRIs are basically selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These drugs have shown promising results in treating binge eating disorder. These are generally known to be antidepressants, but can as well help in improving the body mass index, body weight and the occurrence of binge eating disorder. Some of the commonly known anti-depressants are –

4 Paxil (Paroxetine)
4 Luxov (Fluvoxamine)
4 Zoloft (Setraline)
4 Prozac (Fluxetine)
4 Celexa (Citalopram)

But these SSRIs cannot hold the body weight after the treatment comes to an end and that’s the reason why these drugs are not recommended for weight loss or weight control. Also, researchers are still confused abut the efficacy of the drugs and how these bring about such effects.
Appetite Suppressants

Meridian (Sibutramine) is one of the appetite suppressants that can reduce the frequency of binge eating disorders. This drug has been known to be a serotonin and neropinephrine reuptake inhibitors or SNRIs. The drug has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for obesity as well.  It can suppress hunger considerably and can therefore aid in weight loss.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Norpramin (Desipramine) is an antidepressant that can help in reducing the episodes of binge eating and hunger. It also aids in making the behavioral weight loss treatments even effective. But there aren’t any proper evidences to prove the efficacy of this drug or similar other drugs used for treating binge eating disorder.

It is being presumed that drugs and medications can reduce the frequency of the episodes of binge eating disorders. But these dugs cannot solely treat the condition. Some alternative treatments, such as therapies and psychological treatment methods would be needed.  Additionally, there have been no proper data or evidence to support the efficacy and usefulness of these drugs for treating binge eating disorder. Instead of trying out anything on your own, seek your doctor’s help as and when required.

When a person is suffering from binge eating disorder, he/she might end up eating large amounts of foods than we generally do under the same situations. While we eat just about 1,500 calories to 3,000 calories a day, people suffering from binge eating disorder would be eating about 10,000 to 20,000 calories a day.

The exact definition of binge eating disorder is a matter of debate yet. Although it is assumed that an episode of binge eating can last for about 1-2 hours, some experts hold that the episode can even last for the whole day.

Binge eating disorders might not really have obvious physical signs and symptoms. However, you are likely to be over weight, or obese, to be more precise. But some normal weighted people can also suffer from binge eating disorder, while most obese people might not.

Treatment professionals are very well aware of the binge eating disorder symptoms, although there isn’t any proper method for diagnosing binge eating disorder. Some of the symptoms of binge eating disorders are quite similar to the symptoms of bulimia nervosa as well. However, bulimia nervosa is characterized by purging of the excessive food with the use of laxatives or by vomiting, which isn’t the same with binge eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder symptoms include both physical symptoms and mental and behavioral symptoms.

The Physical Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

The physical symptoms are very much alike the signs and symptoms of a person who is overweight, since bingeing on a daily basis would lead to rapid weight gain. The symptoms include:

- excessive body weight
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- irregular menstruation cycle in women
- chronic kidney problems and kidney failure
- osteoarthritis

Mental and Behavioral Symptoms

An individual suffering from binge eating disorder is likely to experience some mental as well as behavioral complications. These conditions can be very embarrassing for the person and the symptoms of such condition is characterized by –

- recurrent binge eating problems
- eating rapidly than usual
- eating even faster being full that leads to discomfort
- eating even when there is no urge or hunger
- eating alone most of the times to avoid any embarrassing situations
- depression, stress and anxiety due to over eating
- guilt and self-disgust
- obsessive thoughts.

Diagnosing binge eating disorder isn’t everyone’s job and only expert professionals can determine the disorder accurately. Also, if you are suffering from binge eating disorder, it is not necessary that all the symptoms of the condition would be obvious. It can also be a probable indication of some other type of eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder cannot be regarded as a common condition. While there are patients experiencing these problems in some corners of the globe, but the condition isn’t really prevalent. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that approximately 1 out of 5 women suffer from binge eating disorders, while about 40% is contributed by men. Binge eating disorder affects 2% of the adults that includes 1 million-2 millions of America’s populace.

The binge-eaters usually eat large amounts to food to fulfill their emotional void and try to cope up with the various challenges of life. They suffer from emotional insecurity that leads to such severe mental weakness. Practically, their overeating tendency leads to the feeling of shame, disgust and guilt. These people are usually overweight or obese in most of the cases and they lack self esteem as well.

Although the conditions has no such distinct recognition, but is definitely one of the most common eating disorders that people have been experiencing these days. Most people suffering from binge eating disorders are likely to be obese and their body weight would be over 20% of a normal body weight. Also the condition is more common in women than in men, effecting almost 2 women out of 3. The condition affects the blacks more than the whites, which is strange but true. However, its frequency in different ethnic groups has not been identified as yet. People who are obese and have binge eating disorder are likely to have been overweight at their younger age. They might as well suffer from weight fluctuations caused due to yo-yo dieting.

The Cause

The actual cause of binge eating disorder is still not clear to the researchers. But it has been identified that more than half of the patients suffering from this condition have a reported history of depression. Still, it is difficult to clearly state whether depression is a cause or an effect of the condition. People have reportedly said that there are some common emotions associated with binge eating disorder, such as anger, boredom, sadness, anxiety and stress. Some of the more common emotional habits include impulsive behavior and some psychological problems.

Binge eating disorder is often believed to be caused due to dieting, but the dieting effect on the condition isn’t clear as yet. However, various findings and researches reveal that over half the people suffering from the condition have generally had episodes of binge before they began dieting. But still, rigid dieting can actually worsen the condition in most of the cases.

Being Treated

Studies have revealed that people suffering from binge eating disorder often find it very difficult to maintain their body weight. Binge eaters usually regains their body weight very quickly unlike others. This being the case, the treatment ought to be more focused on the binge eating condition than weight loss.

There are several methods for treating the condition, but it must be a combination of both physical treatments as well as psychological treatment. These two methods put together can only eradicate the complication. Often help would be needed from expert nutritionist and physicians on certain issues.

People have often related binge eating disorder to dieting, but it’s not clear whether these two factors are actually related. Some people are believed to binge eat right after their dieting session. By dieting we understand skipping meals, avoiding some food groups like carbohydrates and fats and not eating appropriate portions of foods on a regular basis. These ways are adopted for making certain physical changes – becoming slim actually. As binge eaters are often over weight or obese, they often tend to diet for reducing their body weight, but fail to maintain the same for a considerable period of time, thus getting into the yo-yo diet system.

Some studies have revealed that patients suffering from binge eating disorder are more likely to have emotional problems; they often fail to control their emotions. Patients have reportedly said that they tend to binge eat when they feel angry, bored, sad, worried, stressed or depressed due to some or many causes, and these mood swings happen to them very often.

People experiencing binge eating disorders are likely to have certain emotional problems and behaviors. These are very common amongst most of the paients and include impulsive behavior (acting faster without thinking properly), abusing alcohol, and losing control over themselves very often, feeling lonely and neglected, not being vocal about their feelings and not being friendly in their community. There might be some other noticeable behavioral differences as well.

Researchers are still looking for clues to find out how the chemicals in the brain and the metabolism affect the binge eating disorder. Some researchers also believe that in some cases, the genes can also be responsible for the condition, as the complication can be found in more than one member belonging to the same family. However, the research is very much in its initial stages and would take time to come up with solid evidences.

Nevertheless, researchers have still drawn some conclusions after considering the mental conditions and the other associated factors that trigger the disease to find out what is the actual cause. Some of the identified binge eating disorder causes include:

4 Biological Causes: Biological factors can be a probable cause of binge eating disorder and it might include the involvement of both – genes as well as brain chemicals. Research is on to find out any changes in the gastrointestinal system and well.

4 Psychological Causes: Emotional and psychological triggers can contribute to this condition largely. Psychological causes lead to the development of impulsive behavior, low self-esteem and frequent mood swings in binge eaters.

4 Socio-cultural Causes: This also lays a great role in the development of the condition, since the modern western culture is very much conscious about thinness. As fat people fail to match up to the common rules, they binge eat and fulfill their desires. Also, some binge eaters have a history of being abused sexually.