Binge eating disorder (BED) is a serious but treatable eating disorder that involves compulsive episodes of excessive overeating. People who suffer from BED commonly have other mental health conditions in conjunction with the eating disorder, such as depression or anxiety. Treatment for binge eating disorder is intended to reduce the frequency of binges, address any underlying mental health concerns, and improve the overall well-being of those with the disorder.
by: Megan Madsen
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a severe, life-threatening, and treatable eating disorder characterized by recurrent, compulsive episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress, or guilt afterwards; and not regularly using unhealthy compensatory measures (e.g. fasting or dieting) to counter the binge eating. It is the most common eating disorder in the United States.
Unfortunately, eating disorders are highly stigmatized by weight bias. The severity of one’s eating disorder is often thought to be determined exclusively by their weight. This, however, is untrue as weight and body size do not indicate the presence of an eating disorder. Many individuals with binge eating disorder are often perceived to be at a “normal” weight and are consequently refused treatment. Others with BED may be hesitant to seek treatment on their own out of fear of not being “sick enough.” However, when left untreated, binge eating disorders can result in serious physical, emotional, and psychological consequences.
Binge eating disorder treatment options vary depending on the severity of the disorder and range from inpatient/residential treatment to outpatient programs. Treatment for binge eating disorder involves learning to recognize potential triggers and practicing healthy coping mechanisms in order to establish a foundation for relapse prevention. Most eating disorder treatment programs utilize a multidisciplinary treatment approach that provides behavioral, exposure, and nutrition therapies, psychiatric and medical support, and a variety of support groups.
Below are a few treatment options for binge eating disorder:
The first treatment approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The word “cognitive” or “cognition” refers to a psychological process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thoughts, experiences, and senses. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals understand the thoughts and feelings that influence their behaviors. CBT is intended to disrupt the cycle of “restricting and binging” by promoting regular eating patterns through goal setting and self-monitoring. Additionally, CBT can be beneficial for addressing negative self-talk, recognizing triggers, and engaging in healthy coping skills.
The second treatment option is Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT). IPT is a form of therapy that focuses on resolving interpersonal problems (relationships with family members, peers, etc) the individual may be experiencing that could be contributing to the maintenance of the BED behaviors. IPT involves working closely with a therapist in order to learn how to establish trusting relationships and work through interpersonal crises and conflicts.
Next is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). DBT is a type of therapy that combines certain aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy with mindfulness strategies to teach individuals how to cope with stress and regulate emotions. The integration of mindfulness into psychotherapy teaches individuals how to express and experience their emotions without judgment and allows them to reflect on these feelings when they are triggered. This self-reflection is beneficial for working through urges to binge, curbing impulsivity, and identifying the underlying cause of these disordered behaviors.
The last treatment approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT is a relatively new form of cognitive therapy that is designed to help increase psychological flexibility. Similar to CBT, patients are taught to distinguish cognitive distortions and act independently from them instead of trying to change them. ACT encourages individuals to continue to make positive decisions and recognize that having negative thoughts is nothing to be ashamed of. Since binge eating disorder is associated with feeling shameful or guilty, ACT can help break this cycle.
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, getting help as soon as possible is key for a full recovery. At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center, we treat the spectrum of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. BALANCE offers four distinct levels of care to meet your specific treatment needs including a day program, intensive outpatient program, step-down groups, and individual nutrition services. Our programs integrate behavioral, psychodynamic, and experiential groups, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), individual therapy sessions, and so much more! Contact us for more information.
Looking for eating disorder treatment programs or services in the New York City area? Learn more about our options at BALANCE eating disorder treatment center here or contact us here.
This post was written by BALANCE Marketing Assistant, Megan Madsen.
Megan is currently working toward receiving her B.S. in Psychology. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant with a passion for eating disorder research and education. Megan has worked as a CNA on several units in a hospital setting and as a Psych Tech at an eating disorder treatment center. It was there that she discovered her passion for helping those afflicted with eating disorders and where her desire for educating patients and the community on eating disorders and mental illnesses began. In the future, she hopes to work as a Clinical Psychologist with a focus on eating disorder treatment.
