What are the risks of not overcoming binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating. Binge eating episodes are associated with feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-worth. People with binge eating disorder often eat in secret and feel unable to stop eating even when they are full. Binge eating disorder is a serious medical condition that can lead to numerous physical and psychological complications.
The risks of not overcoming binge eating disorder are very real and can be extremely dangerous. When someone suffering from binge eating disorder continues to binge eat, they are at risk for developing severe health complications, both physically and mentally.
Physically, continued binge eating can lead to serious health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Additionally, those who suffer from binge eating disorder are also at an increased risk for developing certain types of cancers, such as endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer.
Mentally, binge eating disorder can take a toll on an individual’s mental health, leading to problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Additionally, those suffering from binge eating disorder are at an increased risk for developing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires professional treatment. If you or someone you know is suffering from binge eating disorder, please seek help from a qualified mental health professional..Click here for more
How is binge eating disorder diagnosed?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is diagnosed when a person regularly eats large amounts of food in a short period of time and feels out of control during the binge. A diagnosis of BED may be made when a person meets any two of the following criteria:
1. Eating, on average, large amounts of food (more than what most people would eat in a similar situation and time frame)
2. A sense of lack of control over eating during the binge (e.g., feeling that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much is being eaten)
3. Marked distress regarding binge eating is present (e.g., feeling disgusted, depressed, or guilty after the binge)
4. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least once a week for 3 months
5. The binge eating is not associated with the recurrent use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (e.g., purging) as is seen in bulimia nervosa and does not occur exclusively during the course of bulimia nervosa or anorexia nervosa
In order to make a diagnosis of BED, it is necessary to rule out other disorders that may be causing the binge eating episodes. These disorders include, but are not limited to, other eating disorders (e.g., bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa), psychiatric disorders (e.g., major depression, schizophrenia), and medical conditions (e.g., Prader-Willi syndrome, brain tumors). A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified mental health professional is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.
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