Binge eating disorder: Diagnosis, Management & Treatment

A Quick Guide

Binge eating disorder is a serious eating disorder that if left untreated can lead to a lot of health complications some of which include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. This disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating to the point where you are uncomfortably full but you can’t stop eating. 

Learn more about how OCD is related to Eating Disorders.

It can lead to weight gain in some cases, which just turns your situation into more of a downward spiral than before. You may feel extreme feelings of guilt, shame, and self-loathing after you have had an episode. It can be extremely difficult when you don’t have any control over your binge eating episodes.  This can cause more depression and anxiety in a person along with physical complications. The treatment for binge eating disorder can be really difficult and take some time. This is because those with BED tend to hide their behavior as they feel ashamed of their loss of control during these episodes.

To learn more about the symptoms of BED, check out our other article: Binge Eating Disorder: Symptoms & Causes

How is Binge Eating Disorder diagnosed? 

Your healthcare provider will recommend a complete psychological evaluation. They may also recommend other tests to evaluate for other health complications that can be a result of BED. These tests may include a physical exam, blood and urine tests, and a sleep disorder center consultation. 

How is Binge Eating Disorder treated? 

Usually, if you have an eating disorder, you will require a custom-made plan that is specifically tailored to your requirements. Because those with BED may also suffer from low self-esteem, poor self-image, and other negative feelings. Your mental health professional may even use more than one strategy in order to treat your binge eating disorder. They may also treat any other disorders you may have such as depression and anxiety etc. 

Psychotherapy

This is a form of talk therapy that can go a long way in helping you gain control over your eating habits. Some types of psychotherapy include the following:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT can help you identify your triggers and then cope with them in a healthy manner. It can help you in reducing your binge eating episodes significantly. 

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DBT can help you reduce your binge-eating episodes by helping you regulate your emotions, build tolerance for stress, and improve and strengthen your interpersonal relationships. 

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

This approach focuses on your interpersonal relationships such as with your friends, family, etc. It can help you resolve any conflict as that can also be the trigger for your binge eating episodes.

What are the Medication options for Binge eating disorder? 

The very first drug approved by the FDA is Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse). It is used to treat moderate to severe binge eating episodes though the drug originally was used for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADHD. 

Still, the drug Vyvanse can be addicting and may be misused. It can lead to some severe to moderate side effects such as insomnia and a dry mouth. 

But then again all medications have some sort of side effects. Consult a health care provider before you take any of the medication as at times the side effects can be dire. 

There are other types of medications as well that can help in reducing your symptoms:

Topiramate (Topamax)

This is an anticonvulsant and is used to manage seizures but can also be used to reduce binge eating episodes. Some side effects of the drug include dizziness, sleepiness, difficulty focusing, etc.

Antidepressants

While it’s not clear how they reduce binge eating episodes, it may be because of the way they affect certain neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that affect mood. 

Even though these medications can help in reducing binge eating episodes, they are not gonna do much if you have already gained weight. 

Weight loss programs

This is mostly done after a person has been cured of their binge eating disorder. These weight loss programs are generally done under medical supervision. It ensures that your nutritional requirements are met.

We hope you found this article useful in learning more about how binge eating disorder is diagnosed along with how its symptoms are managed and treated. Do You Get Anxiety After Eating Carbs? Here’s How To Manage

To know more about how you can overcome this disorder, check out our other article on self-help strategies: Binge Eating Disorder BED: 12 Self-Help Strategies.