How can family and friends help someone with binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating. A binge is defined as eating an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar situation and is accompanied by a sense of loss of control over eating. Binge eating episodes are associated with feelings of shame, disgust, and anxiety. BED affects both men and women, although it is more common in women. It is estimated that 1.6% of adults in the United States suffer from BED.
The effects of BED go beyond just physical health. Individuals with BED are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, and have a higher rate of substance abuse. BED is also associated with a number of medical problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
If you suspect that someone you know has BED, there are a number of things you can do to help. First, it is important to talk to the person about your concerns. You should avoid being judgmental or critical, and instead try to express your support and concern. It is also important to encourage the person to seek professional help, as BED is a complex disorder that requires treatment by a mental health professional.
You can also offer practical support to someone with BED, such as helping them to plan healthy meals or providing encouragement to stay active. If the person you know is in treatment for BED, you can offer to go with them to appointments or help them to stick to their treatment plan.
Family and friends play an important role in the treatment of BED. By offering support and understanding, you can help someone with BED to recover and lead a healthy, happy life..View it
How is binge eating disorder diagnosed?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States. It is estimated that 3.5% of women and 2.0% of men will suffer from BED at some point in their lifetime.
BED is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating. A binge is defined as eating an excessive amount of food in a short period of time (usually within 2 hours) and feeling out of control during the episode. Binge eating episodes are associated with feelings of guilt, shame, and embarrassment.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) lists the following criteria for diagnosis of BED:
1. Recurrent episodes of binge eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the following:
-Eating, in a discrete period of time (e.g., within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances.
-A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode (e.g., a feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating).
2. The binge eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
-Eating much more rapidly than normal.
-Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
-Eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry.
-Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating.
-Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty afterward.
3. Marked distress regarding binge eating is present.
4. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for 3 months.
5. The binge eating is not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging) as in bulimia nervosa and does not occur exclusively during the course of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs and symptoms, it is important to seek professional help. BED is a treatable disorder, and there are many resources available to those struggling with the disorder.
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