Binge eating disorder is a type of overeating in which people consume very large amounts of food, secretively and compulsively.
Binge eating is as serious as it is common. It has the potential to damage every facet of an individual’s life, crushing their self esteem, damaging interpersonal relationships, affecting work and limiting their social life seriously.
Some of the most common signs of binge eating disorder are:
- Eating excessive amounts of food: A normal person takes in 1,500-2,000 calories everyday. A binge eater can easily consume 10,000 calories or more per binge. Binge eating is characterized by rapid eating. Victims generally cram food into their mouth, wolfing it down at unbelievable rates.
- Eating regardless of hunger: Binge eating has nothing to do with physical hunger. A person can binge just after dinner or on their way home from work. Their attempt is to fill a bottomless pit in their heart.
- Secretive: Binge eaters are thoroughly ashamed of their abnormal eating habits and prefer to binge in secret. They have the habit of hiding food or food containers and like to eat alone. This desire for covering up affects their relationships.
- Losing control: Binge eating disorder arises from a feeling of losing control. Victims typically suffer from anxiety, depression and a feeling of self disgust or self loathing.
- Dieting: Binge eaters diet frequently but are unable to lose weight. Yo-yo dieting is common in binge eaters.
Binge eating disorder affects more women than men. It can occur at any age and may affect any individual in any ethnic group.
What causes binge eating disorder is still unknown, though a history of depression and a lack of self confidence in the early years could put a person at risk of developing the disorder.
Several serious health problems are associated with binge eating disorder. It can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart conditions, gall bladder disease and arthritis among other problems.
Fortunately, binge eating disorder can be treated through self help and professional counseling. But, the first step to recovery is awareness of the problem and the desire to get better.
