Binge Eating Disorder

Warning signs of Binge Eating Disorder

• binge eating or eating large amounts of food, more than what most people would eat under similar circumstances
• loss of control during these eating episodes
• eating more rapidly than usual
• eating until uncomfortably full
• eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry
• eating alone because of embarrassment by how much one is eating
• feeling disgusted with oneself after overeating

The prevalence of binge eating disorder is approximately 2-3% of the general population, 8% of the obese population, and 30% of those who come to a weight loss center or bariatric surgery center.

Treatment of Binge Eating Disorder

Initial assessment involves a comprehensive medical and psychiatric evaluation with appropriate laboratory tests as indicated. Medications are indicated for binge eating disorder and can result in a 94% reduction in binge frequency with about twelve to fourteen pound weight loss over fourteen weeks.

One type of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, can result in an 80% reduction in binge eating frequency over twenty weeks, and a 60% remission rate after one year and can be done in either a group or individual setting.