Archive for March, 2010

Do I Really Have Binge Eating Disorder?

Q: A close friend of mine recently told me that she believes I may have a binge eating disorder.  Some weeks I don’t binge at all and other weeks I binge daily.  Do I really have a binge eating disorder?

A: You ask a very interesting, and common, question.  It also happens to be a complicated one!  First off, are you really binge eating?  Some people may feel like they’ve binged after eating one candy bar, a handful of peanuts or a single ice cream cone.  For these people, a binge involves eating any amount of something they consider to be a “bad” or “dangerous” food.  Technically, this is referred to as a SUBJECTIVE binge because it relies on each individual’s own, sometimes inaccurate, definition of how much food is “too much”.  On the other hand, while difficult to precisely define, a formally defined, or OBJECTIVE, binge consists of 1) eating a significantly larger amount of food than an average person might eat,  2) doing so in a relatively brief period of time (less than two hours) and 3) sensing a loss of control over eating during the episode.  Distinguishing between a subjective binge and an objective binge is an important part of helping you to answer the question about whether you have a binge eating disorder (BED). 

That being said, episodic, or occasional binge eating alone does not constitute BED.  Current diagnostic criteria indicates that an individual is bingeing at least twice a week for six months and experiences that “out of control” feeling during the binge in order to be diagnosed as having BED.* 

People with BED tend to eat quite rapidly, binge even though they’re not hungry, and often eat until they are feeling exceptionally full.  At the emotional core of BED is a sense of shame, and possibly disgust, about one’s eating behavior and, consequently, binges are apt to occur secretively.  Around 2-3% of the general population meets the criteria for BED and interestingly, women are somewhat more likely to have BED than men.  Some research suggests that upwards of 50% of people with BED are not obese, contrary to what people may assume.  

Its important to point out that even if you don’t think you meet full criteria for BED, it doesn’t mean you don’t have an eating disorder or that you shouldn’t seek help.  Any problematic disordered eating behaviors, including infrequent binges, could be symptoms of an eating disorder.  Regardless of the specific diagnosis, early assessment and intervention will significantly help to improve your chances for recovery.

Blog answer contributed by David Roth, Ph.D. 

Dr. Roth is a psychologist and therapist at The Center for Eating Disorders.  He specializes in the treatment of individuals with Binge Eating Disorder. 

* It is important to note that new diagnostic criteria for BED and its inclusion as a separate disgnosis is currently being developed and will likely be updated in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, scheduled to be released in May of 2013.

Published by Kate Clemmer
March 23rd, 2010 in Editor's Picks, Glossary Definitions, Nutrition, Therapies
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Should People With Binge Eating Disorder Try to Lose Weight?

Many people with binge eating disorder (BED) are obese and may have health problems related to their eating disorder.  Often times, people who are obese attempt to lose weight by joining a weight loss program or trying various diets; they may even be urged to do so by a medical professional who is unfamiliar with appropriate treatment for eating disorders.  While weight loss can sometimes be a by-product of recovery from BED, it should not be the primary goal.  In fact, attempts at controlling one’s weight through dieting, can exacerbate the binge eating symptoms by triggering a deprivation-binge cycle that ultimately results in weight gain and decreased metabolism. 

At The Center for Eating Disorders we recognize that the health problems which can accompany BED are a result of behaviors, not a direct effect of one’s weight.   Additionally, we find it of great importance to acknowledge and remind others that people can be healthy at every size and shape.  In fact, research shows that focusing on improving health behaviors – without regard to weight or the number on the scale –consistently leads to better physical health outcomes1.

That being said, people with BED, whether they are obese or not, can benefit physically and emotionally from seeking treatment for their eating disorder.  Treatment for BED includes working towards self-acceptance and focusing on the normalization of eating patterns.  This involves incorporating a wide variety of foods from all food groups and working through detrimental beliefs about food and eating.  People in recovery often find that once they are able to maintain a balanced pattern of eating and incorporate a healthy amount of physical activity that they enjoy, their body will naturally find and settle at its own appropriate set point.  This set point – the weight range at which one’s body is genetically programmed for optimal functioning - is different for every individual.  Focusing on balance and stability, rather than a specific weight or pant size, honors the health and well-being of the individual above all else. 

Questions about BED?  Join in the discussion on our Facebook page or visit our website for more information about BED and treatment options.

 

References:

1 Bacon, L., et al., (2005). Size Acceptance and Intuitive Eating Improve Health for Obese, Female Chronic Dieters.

Published by Kate Clemmer
March 19th, 2010 in Body Image, Editor's Picks, Nutrition, Therapies
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What’s All The Buzz About Eating Disorder Prevention? Rosalind Wiseman Speaks About Raising Confident & Competent Children

 In honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt has been hosting a variety of events to promote eating disorder awareness and to provide tools to work towards the prevention of eating disorders. To that end, best-selling author of “Queen Bees & Wannabes” Rosalind Wiseman, spoke on Sunday to an audience of one hundred teachers, parents, school counselors, and teens about the ways that we can each help to develop a culture of dignity within our families, schools and social groups, particularly in regards to body shape and size.

As Rosalind Wiseman mentioned in her presentation on Sunday, the overarching goal of her work is to promote dignity for all.  As it relates to body image, she offered some hard hitting advice to attendees by challenging the parents in the audience to look honestly at the way they see their own bodies. She asked the mothers in the audience, in particular, how their child would answer if asked about how their mom feels about her own body or how she responds to a compliment.  She explained that this will play a large part in how our children and students evaluate their own bodies and that parents that criticize their own bodies or judge people by their body shape/weight “lose credibility” when discussing these issues with their children.

Ms. Wiseman also explored why it is important to help your child develop social competencies and effective strategies for dealing with anger.  Watch the clip of her explanation here.

By helping the audience to connect with and acknowledge the reality of the youth experience, Ms. Wiseman also provided techniques to help children problem solve situations involving eating disorders and body image concerns in their own lives.  Her straightforward advice included some concrete tips for connecting with kids in ways that may help to prevent the disordered eating and how to respond in a supportive way to their body image concerns when expressed.

The Positive Parenting workshop was just one of three events sponsored by The Center for Eating Disorders and Sheppard Pratt in honor of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2010.  If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive announcements about future events, please send an email request to kclemmer@sheppardpratt.org.

Blog contributions by Rachel Hendricks and Kate Clemmer

Published by Kate Clemmer
March 1st, 2010 in Celebrity Topical News
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