Binge Eating
It’s important to know that everyone will not have the same symptoms. Some people will have a mix of symptoms and you do not need to have all these symptoms to have Binge Eating Disorder.
Definition:
Like Bulimia,
Binge Eating Disorder, or BED, has only recently (in 1992) been recognised
as an eating disorder. Men and Women living with Binge Eating Disorder
suffer a combination of symptoms similar to those of Compulsive
Overeaters and Bulimia. The sufferer periodically
goes on large uncontrollable binges, consuming an unusually large quantity
of food in a short period of time (less than 2 hours), eating until they
are uncomfortably full. The weight of each individual is usually characterised
as above average or overweight, and sufferers tend to have a more difficult
time losing weight and maintaining average healthy weights. Unlike with
Bulimia, they do not purge following a binge
episode.
Reasons for Binge Eating can be similar to those of Compulsive Overeating where sufferes use binges as a way to hide from their emotions, to fill a void they feel inside, and to cope with daily stresses and problems in their lives. Binging can be used as a way to keep people away, to subconsciously maintain an overweight appearance to cator to society's sad stigma "if I'm fat, no one will like me," as each person suffering may feel undeserving of love. As with Bulimia, binging can also be used as self-punishment for doing "bad" things, or for feeling badly about themselves.
It is believed that many more people suffer from Binge Eating Disorder than either Anorexia or Bulimia Nervosa.
Psychological
signs of Binge Eating:
Depression and or anxiety;
Mood swings;
Feeling out of control around food;
Feeling very self-conscious eating in front of others;
Feeling ashamed, depressed or guilty after binging.
Behavioural
signs of Binge Eating:
Eating much more rapidly than usual;
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full;
Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry;
Eating alone because of embarrassment at the quantities of food consumed;
Being unable to purge yourself or compensate for the food eaten.
Effects:
Because of the amount of food
eaten, many people with BED become obese and this can lead to problems
with blood pressure, cholestorol, heart disease, kidney disease and/or
failure, arthritis and bone deterioration, and stroke, as well as a general
lack of fitness.