Struggling with binge eating, or any eating disorder, can be overwhelming and debilitating. You or your loved one may feel out of control and helpless. Fortunately, Eating Disorder Solutions in Dallas, TX can help those living with binge eating regain their independence with our holistic recovery program.
Binge eating disorder treatment at Eating Disorder Solutions in Dallas, Texas focuses on a multi-disciplinary approach to client care, which has been shown to be the most successful long-term. This means that care will come from medical health care providers as well as from mental health professionals, dietitians and others who can help individuals effectively address their binge eating, unhealthy diets and unwelcome emotions.
Full recovery is possible for those struggling with binge eating disorder. At Eating Disorder Solutions, we offer a full continuum of care and evidence-based treatment methods to give you the tools necessary to take back your life. Take a look at our binge eating disorder treatment methods and get in touch with us today.
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What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Although binge eating disorder, also called BED, is the most recently recognized eating disorder, it’s the most prevalent eating disorder in the United States, affecting up to 5% of men, women and teenagers. Overeating habits can create many uncomfortable and dangerous physical symptoms over time. BED also creates many distressing mental symptoms that must also be addressed during binge eating disorder treatment. By getting to the root of the problem, BED treatment can often be highly successful especially when treatment management is long-term.
Binge Eating Signs & Symptoms
Because of the large quantities of food typically eaten, many clients seeking binge eating disorder treatment have above-normal weights, although some remain at normal weights due to their constant dieting. One of the best ways to recognize when a loved one needs binge eating disorder treatment is to know the most common signs and symptoms of this eating disorder. Many individuals recognize these symptoms in themselves, but may feel too much shame to seek treatment. Therefore, it is often up to family and friends to encourage those experiencing it to seek binge eating disorder treatment.
Many behavioral signs and symptoms of binge eating are quite easy for people close to the individual to see. For example, common signs of binge eating often include :
- Frequently eating very large amounts of food in short periods
- Eating until the individual is overwhelmingly full
- Eating in secret
- Eating constantly rather than at regular mealtimes
- Trying to hide food
- Constantly being on a diet without making any progress
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, five criteria must be met for an individual to be diagnosed with binge eating disorder. These include the following :
- Depression
- Great embarrassment and shame
- Constant guilt
- Lack of emotions during the binging episode
Health Risks of Binge Eating Disorder
If BED is allowed to progress without treatment, it could result in several serious physical complications, especially in those who are overweight. Common side effects of binge eating include :
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal distress
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Gallbladder disease
- Sleep apnea
- Menstrual cycle issues
- Decreased mobility
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Certain cancers
Many people with binge eating disorder also have concurrent mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. BED along with these concurrent issues can create a very poor quality of life, can destroy key relationships and can cause trouble at work. For the best chance of long-term recovery, binge eating disorder treatment must focus on both physical and emotional manifestations of the disorder as well as on the mental roots of the problem to be effective.
Causes of Binge Eating
- Age, often happening earlier in life for women and during midlife for men
- Gender, occurring more frequently in women than in men
- Genetically passed down from parents
- History of dieting
- History of increased stress or trauma, such as sexual or physical abuse or a recent death in the family
- Poor body image
- Relational issues with close family or friends
- Bullying at school, at work or through social media
Binge Eating Disorder Diagnosis
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, five criteria must be met for an individual to be diagnosed with binge eating disorder. These include the following :
A psychiatrist or psychologist will make the official diagnosis using the DSM-5. However, a medical practitioner will also run several diagnostic health tests to determine which if any underlying health conditions also exist. For example, a doctor will complete a physical assessment and will run several blood and urine tests to check for electrolyte imbalances, protein in the urine and similar concerns. The practitioner will also take special note of blood pressure readings and cholesterol levels, which could indicate a heart condition. In addition, he or she may refer the client for a sleep center evaluation to check for sleep apnea particularly if the client is overweight. Once underlying conditions are identified and the DSM-5 evaluation is completed, the health care team at Eating Disorder Solutions will be able to craft an
individualized binge eating treatment plan.
- Regular times of binge eating, defined as eating large amounts of food in a two-hour period and as a lack of control while eating.
- Binge eating periods during which the individual feels uncomfortably full, eats when not feeling hungry, eats despite embarrassment over the amount of food and feels guilty or depressed after eating.
- A feeling of deep unhappiness over binge eating.
- Binge eating episodes that occur at least once per week for a minimum of three months.
- No compensatory methods, such as purging or fasting used, which indicates that neither anorexia or bulimia is present.
Binge Eating Disorder Treatment Options
To reach full recovery and regain independence, clients living with BED undergo several key treatments, which will be individualized for their needs. Some of the most common binge eating disorder treatments practiced at Eating Disorder Solutions include the following :
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
This highly individualized therapy is done one-on-one with a psychiatrist who can help clients explore their emotions and learn how they affect their eating behaviors…
Psychotherapy
Another type of in-depth group or individual therapy that helps clients discover the root problems or emotions leading them to binge eat…
Nutritional Counseling
Nutrition counseling in the treatment of binge eating disorder helps clients identify triggers and coping skills to eliminate binge eating. Additionally, clients work with the dietitian…
Group Therapy
Group therapy provides clients with a strong and lasting support network. Through our loving, family-like atmosphere, our group therapy helps individuals explore their own feelings…
Family Therapy
Family therapy is a critical part of binge eating disorder treatment and helps to build strong support networks that will be in place once the client completes the residential binge…
Get Binge Eating Disorder Help Today
It can be hard for individuals to admit to having binge eating episodes. However, at Eating Disorder Solutions, we offer safe solutions that respect our clients’ privacy and that treat all clients as individuals. Anyone seeking binge eating disorder treatments for themselves or for a loved one can rest assured that our residential and intensive outpatient programs focus on client-centered care plans provided in a secure yet welcoming environment.
