Binge eating disorder

 

Binge eating disorder also known as compulsive overeating disorder is a disorder which makes its sufferer overeat, a person with this disorder tends to eat even when he/she is not hungry. Most of people suffering from this disorder tend to be overweight and may prefer to eat alone as they are ashamed of their eating habits. It is hard for people suffering from this disorder to resist the sight of food. Foods rich in salts, sugar and fat tend to create a pleasure sensation in the brain and this disorder becomes more severe, the content of fats, sugars and salts also increases. People with this disorder often tend to have body image issues and this may also lead to depression. After a period of over eating they feel embarrassed and may starve or do vigorous exercise to try and cut down the calories they have gained from over eating. They might also wear lose fitting clothes to cover up their body weight.

 This over eating may also lead to other lead to other health conditions like obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure etc. Depression can be one of the causes of this disorder and this disorder can also lead to depression. This disorder is also caused due to mood swings, when angry or sad people tend to eat to minimize these feeling. Even change in brain chemicals may result in over eating. If the brain does not send the signals that control hunger levels and eating properly then one may not know when to stop and over eat.

This disorder is often treated through counseling; it helps the sufferer control their eating habits. Anti-depressants can be used to treat one who is suffering from both compulsive overeating and depression as treating depression may control one’s eating habits. In some cases even group therapy which involves friends and family of the sufferer can be of great help. Compulsive eaters tend to hide food from their family members; they feel comfortable in having solitary meals as no one would come to know of their eating habits. Informing family members about this disorder might help the person regulate this disorder.  It is necessary to control compulsive eating disorder as it not only affects sufferer’s physical health but also mental health.