What is binge eating disorder?
Despite the fact that it affects millions of Americans, binge eating disorder (BED) is a widely misunderstood mental disorder. This illness, which involves frequent overeating marked by distress and lack of control, has long been underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Bingeing goes beyond feeling “stuffed” or overeating on occasion. Binges become a regular occurrence, feel out of control and are followed by distress, shame and embarrassment.
Binge eating disorder treatment
Binge eating disorder was truly acknowledged as a separate and distinct disorder when it was added as an Axis 1 diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). This classification has helped raise awareness of the seriousness and legitimacy of BED among the general public and healthcare professionals alike.
However, misconceptions still exist related to binge eating disorder.
BED is commonly confused with bulimia because it involves bingeing; however, unlike bulimia, sufferers do not compensate for the binge by vomiting, abusing laxatives or diuretics, or over-exercising. Another misconception is that someone suffering from binge eating disorder must be overweight or obese, when in reality, people of all shapes and sizes can have bingeing problems.
How to stop binge eating
If you have binge eating disorder, it does not mean you lack self-control. You suffer from a mental illness that requires specialized therapeutic care. There is no shame in having BED and there is no shame in seeking professional help.
At Eating Recovery Center, we offer treatment programs dedicated to BED and other overeating disorders. Please call us at 877-825-8584 so we can help you begin the healing process through specialized treatment.
Have hope. A full and lasting recovery from binge eating is possible.
Eating Recovery Center's Dr. Julie Friedman discusses treatment for binge eating disorder in our video below:
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