Binge eating disorder: what are the symptoms, its risks and why it is important to treat it

Binge eating disorder is one of the most common diet-related diagnoses. feed . According to an academic article published in the Mexican Journal of Eating Disorders , its growth has increased latently since the beginning of the century, to the point that it is today considered “a problem of health of great prevalence” .

One of the most worrying factors in this condition is that has consequences for well-being both in terms of physical as mental patients, which can trigger – or increase – a series of undesirable complications . That is why many specialists have warned about the need to identify it, in order to treat it with the help of professionals as soon as possible.

In a conversation with La Tercera, experts in this field detail the main aspects of this condition, also known as binge eating disorder.

As indicated by his name, characterized by patients consuming considerable amounts of food, with loss of control over what they are doing .

The Dean of the School of Psychology at U. Adolfo Ibáñez and researcher of the Center for the Study of Eating Behavior (ECSC), Claudia Cruzat, explains that for a diagnosis to be made, there must have been at least one binge eating per week in the last three months .

“It is very important to keep in mind that people who suffer from binge eating experience a lot of discomfort. First, it’s a feeling of being out of control, when you eat this large amount of food. Once this happens, which may last for an hour or two, many times a feeling of shame or guilt may also arise. “, explains the expert in the field.

As binge eating becomes more frequent, it becomes difficult for patients to lead normal lives, to the point where social isolation can be triggered. and discomfort when attending events where you know there will be food.

“There you start to say, ‘oh, it looks like this is indeed an alert and it’s time to ask for help.’ At that time you need to consult a specialist, as well as a psychologist and a psychiatrist in many cases” adds Cruzat.

One of the characteristics that this condition can present, according to the academic journal Binge Eating Disorder in DSM-5 by psychologist Azucena García Palacios —available on the website of dial-up network – is that binge eating tends to occur when the person is alone, in addition to eating much faster than normal and “unpleasantly full” .

Added to this is that the consumption of this large amount of food occurs when you do not necessarily feel physical hunger .

According to this same article, The severity scale within this disorder is as follows:

– Mild: 1 to 3 bulimia attacks per week.

– Moderate: 4 to 7 bulimia attacks per week.

– Severe: 8 to 13 bulimia attacks per week.

-Extreme: 14 or more binges per week.

Cruzat points out that the time is relative and depends on each individual, since there are people who present mild cases and who manage to recover without necessarily resorting to treatment . Even so, there are others where the disorder may take on a chronic (sustained) character, in which episodes of this type run rampant throughout life .

Such excesses, according to the CECA researcher, are usually associated with stressful or traumatic situations .

“For example, when a person is going through a vital time, such as a wedding, the closing process of a college graduation exam, or a stressful time at work . In many cases, these are triggers for the disorder to return.

But beyond the time that this condition can last in patients, he points out that it is important to treat it in time, in order to prevent it from intensifying and entering a state of risk .

“A person suffering from mild binge eating has a much better chance of not becoming chronic if they consult in a timely manner. I believe the most important thing here is early detection and timely care.” underline.

The quoted article available on Dialnet details that The prevalence at 12 months is estimated to be 1.6% in women and 0.8% in men. . Although the first group has a higher figure, it is pointed out that the gender difference is less pronounced than in diagnoses such as bulimia or anorexia .

Besides, binge eating tends to present in late adolescence or early adulthood .

Regarding the points that influence this diagnosis, Cruzat assures that in general eating disorders are multifactorial, therefore genetic, biological, family and social aspects can influence .

Similarly, he says that “Without a doubt, there are triggers that have to do with socio-cultural issues” .

Despite the fact that binge eating can affect both men and women, the dean of the UAI School of Psychology analyzes that this last gender group is more exposed to “the pressure of beauty (by traditional standards), thinness (often associated with happiness) and a range of other variables” .

“There is a feeling that there is never enough in the female body, always wanting something more, always finding something wrong. . It is therefore one of the most relevant risk factors in eating disorders and also in binge eating.

With, an article from the mayo clinic from the United States details on a general level that “you are much more likely to have an eating disorder if your parents or siblings have (or had) one” .

The same is true for people who have a history of low-calorie dieting (or who have followed) and patients with psychological distress, such as negative self-perception. .

Although these episodes of large amounts of food can occur with different types of food, the most common is that they are hypercaloric products, that is, with a high number of calories .

“Usually it’s chips, popcorn, cookies, chocolate, ice cream,” Cruzat lists to name a few.

Bupa Sport nutritionist Yael Toporowicz clarifies this point: “You can eat a cake or a large amount of food that you may not be able to consume during a family lunch” .

In this line, he makes the distinction that “It’s one thing, for example, to share a barbecue on September 18 and a dessert (…) there you tend to eat more, but it’s not the same as bulimia in the context of this disorder, which has this feeling of losing control in a limited period that can last two hours, where 5,000 or 6,000 calories can be ingested, to the point where the body hurts” .

“This is the turning point. It’s not that you are hungry during the day and then you arrive (at home) to eat more, it’s the absolute loss of control “ add.

Toporowicz details this constant feeding frenzy and involving foods of these characteristics not only are they associated with increased body weight, but also “can trigger inflammatory responses to disease” .

Diabetes, insulin resistance and high cholesterol are just a few of the medical diagnoses that can appear – or worsen – because of the disease. especially if it is not treated in time.

Usually, It is difficult for the close environment of the persons concerned to be able to identify the presence of this condition. This is due, according to the CECA researcher, to the fact that individuals do not tend to comment on it and that it can occur in people who appear to be “normal weight, a little overweight or obese”. .

“There is also no (so obvious) pattern. For example, in anorexia, you see weight loss and you say “here’s a scare, something’s wrong.” Here, as there is no physical evidence, it is often very difficult to detect. .

The treatments for this condition are distinguished by their multidisciplinarity, that is, they usually involve psychology and nutrition professionals. . Depending on the characteristics of each patient, a psychiatrist may be necessary.

“In some cases, pharmacological support is also necessary. In the most severe cases, often what you need to do first is control the binge, then see what the underlying factors are, (provide) psychological support and of course a well individualized diet plan by a nutritionist. thinking about the person’s tastes, what things they may be intolerant of, ”explains Cruzat.

From his area of ​​expertise, Toporowicz says he often gives his patients “a framework for them to begin to recognize feelings of hunger and fullness.” that are not identified in case of binge eating.

“If, for example, at noon I start to feel hungry, or at noon, I will also answer. These are biological and physiological needs of the body, eat different amounts of food every hour, of course not so large and excessive (as in the episodes that involve this condition)”, specifies the nutritionist.

For the CECA researcher, It is very relevant that in school and community contexts, measures are taken to “reinforce and reinforce satisfaction with body image”, as this is a key aspect to prevent disorders of the body image. ‘feed including that of an unbridled appetite.

“specifically in the frenzy, when the person begins to have them and they become more frequent, it is already an alert that a specialist must be seen. Also, if you feel it is disabling you or taking you away from spaces that were previously good for you like you would if you isolated yourself from your classmates at university, for example”.

In this sense, Cruzat affirms that When a condition like this becomes chronic, the chances of overcoming it become more difficult .

SO, If you feel identified with the signs of binge eating, it is best to consult a specialist as soon as possible to treat it, according to the characteristics of your particular case. .