B.E.D

Binge Eating Disorder

First of all binge eating disorder is not about that second or even third helping of dinner! Everyone has a little extra food on occasion. This does not equal a binge.

Overeating like this on a daily basis while feeling ashamed about it and hiding it may lead to binge eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder is when you eat an unusually large amount of food frequently. It is a serious eating disorder along the lines of bulimia and anorexia.

People with B.E.D may feel ashamed about what they do and vow to stop but they usually can not resist their obsessions.

Symptoms of B.E.D

* Regularly eat excessive amounts of food

* May eat 10 000 to 20 000 calories of food in one sitting

* Debatable but serious binges last longer than 2 hours (even longer then a day)

* Can be a normal weight, over weight or obese (hard to tell who has b.e.d)

* When you have b.e.d it is the behavioral and emotional signs and symptoms that stand out: eating large amounts of food, eating when you are full, eating quickly during a binge, feeling that your eating behavior is out of control, depression, anxiety, frequent dieting without weight loss, eating alone, embarrassed to eat with or in front of others, hoarding food, hiding empty food containers, feeling disgusted by your eating habits

Causes

Biological: Gene and brain chemicals

Psychological: Low self worth, trouble controlling impulsive behavior, emotional, mood swings, anger

Sociocultural: Society’s desire for thinness,

Risks

* Most common of all eating disorders

* Up to 4 percent of USA population has binge eating disorder

* Most common in 40′s and 50′s

* Dieting may trigger urdge to binge eat

* Binge eaters may have trouble coping with emotions, feelings, stress and bordem

* Sexual abuse can lead to b.e.d

* Media and society play a role in b.e.d – desire to have the perfect body

Complications

B.E.D can lead to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Substance or alcohol abuse
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood cholesterol
• Gallbladder disease
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Osteoarthritis
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Headache
• Sleep apnea

If you think someone you know or yourself has b.e.d do not be afraid to reach out to family members, counsellors or doctors for help. If you would like to know more about my experience with b.e.d please do not hesitate to email me: jocelyneatsfresh@gmail.com…It is still something I struggle with on a daily basis.