Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are psychological illnesses defined by abnormal eating habits that
may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an
individual's physical and mental health.
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include
extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. Eating
disorders are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening
consequences for females and males.
Bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa are the most common specific forms of
eating disorders.
Eating Disorders
Pica
Rumination Disorder
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
Anorexia Nervosa
Restricting Type
Binge-eating/Purging Type
Bulimia Nervosa
Binge-eating Disorder

Pica

Eating nonnutritive, nonfood substances over a period of at least one

month.
Pica is defined by behavior that involves eating and ingesting non-food
substances. These may include materials such as coal, dirt or paper and
are not typically thought of as digestible food.

Symptoms
The symptoms of pica are eating non-food materials and symptoms need
to be present for a minimum of one month for the diagnosis to be made. The
items that people with pica choose to consume are varied but common
substances include pottery, mud, clay, paper, laundry starch, charcoal, ash, coal,
sand, wool, carpet, metal, hair, paint, wood, plastic and tissues.

The consumption of food starches such as uncooked pasta, rice or flour

does not meet the pica criteria as these are considered to be nutritive substances.
For a person to be diagnosed with pica, the substances that they are ingesting
need to be of no known nutritive value.

Causes
The prevalence of pica seems to be greater in children, pregnant women,
developmentally challenged individuals and adults who are suffering from an
iron deficiency. This leads some professionals to believe that pica is the bodys
attempt to ingest some form of mineral content. In certain cases it may be a
nutrient deficiency which is causing the person to crave strange substances. This
may be present in people who present with pica and are suffering from iron
deficiency anemia or low levels of zinc.
Pica should be treated because there are complications associated with
eating non-food items. Some substances may be toxic when ingested and may
lead to poisoning. Nutritional deficiencies can also be suffered if the person is too
full up on non-food items to eat properly. Stones and other items which cannot
be digested may cause blockages or constipation.
Other potential causes:
Dieting, where an individual may be trying to fill their stomach with
non-food substances in order to ease hunger sensations (There are
reports of models doing this.)
Developmental problems like autism, developmental disabilities
and brain abnormalities.
Mental health conditions
Malnutrition
Stress

Possible complications
Bezoar a mass of indigestible material trapped inside the body,
usually in the stomach
Infection
Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the
bowel that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing
through.
Lead poisoning Lead is a very strong poison. When a person
swallows a lead object or breathes in lead dust, some of the poison
can stay in the body and cause serious health problems.

Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does

not get enough nutrients.

Diagnosis
If pica is suspected, a medical evaluation is important to assess for
possible anemia, intestinal blockages, or potential toxicity from ingested
substances. If symptoms are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by
performing a complete medical history and physical exam. The doctor may use
certain tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to check for anemia and look for
toxins and other substances in the blood, and to check for blockages in the
intestinal tract. The doctor also may test for possible infections caused by eating
items contaminated with bacteria or other organisms. A review of the person's
eating habits also may be conducted.
Before making a diagnosis of pica, the doctor will evaluate the presence of
other disorders -- such as mental retardation, developmental disabilities, or
obsessive-compulsive disorder -- as the cause of the odd eating behavior. This
pattern of behavior must last at least one month for a diagnosis of pica to be
made.

Treatment
Treatment should first address any missing nutrients or other medical
problems, such as lead poisoning.
Treating pica involves behaviors, the environment, and family education.
One form of treatment associates the pica behavior with negative consequences
or punishment (mild aversion therapy). Then the person gets positive
reinforcement for eating normal foods.
Medications may help reduce the abnormal eating behavior if pica is part
of a developmental disorder such as intellectual disability.

Prevention
There is no specific way to prevent pica. However, careful attention to
eating habits and close supervision of children known to put things in their
mouths may help catch the disorder before complications can occur.

Rumination Disorder

Repeated regurgitation of food which can be re-chewed, reswallowed or spit out for at least one month.

Symptoms

Rumination disorder is an eating disorder in which a person usually

an infant or young child, brings back up and re-chews partially
digested food that has already been swallowed. In most cases, the
re-chewed food is then swallowed again; but occasionally, the child
will spit it out.
Repeated regurgitation of food
Repeated re-chewing of food
Weight loss
Bad breath and tooth decay
Repeated stomachaches and indigestion
Raw and chapped lips

Symptoms must go on for at least 1 month to fit the definition of

rumination disorder.
People do not appear to be upset, retching, or disgusted when they bring
up food. It may appear to cause pleasure.
In addition, infants with rumination may make unusual movements that
are typical of the disorder. These include straining and arching the back, holding
the head back, tightening the abdominal muscles, and making sucking
movements with the mouth. These movements may be done as the infant is
trying to bring back up the partially digested food.

Causes

Physical illness or severe stress may trigger the behavior.

Neglect of or an abnormal relationship between the child and the
mother or other primary caregiver may cause the child to engage in
self-comfort. For some children, the act of chewing is comforting.
It may be a way for the child to gain attention.

Rumination disorder usually starts after age 3 months, following a period

of normal digestion. It occurs in infants and is rare in children and teenagers. The
cause is often unknown. Certain problems, such as lack of stimulation of the
infant, neglect, and high-stress family situations, have been associated with the
disorder.
Rumination disorder may also occur in adults.

Possible Complications

Failure to thrive refers to children whose current weight or rate of

weight gain is much lower than that of other children of similar age
and gender.
Lowered resistance to disease
Malnutrition

Diagnosis
If symptoms of rumination are present in an infant or child, the doctor will
begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical exam.
The doctor may use certain tests -- such as X-rays and blood tests -- to look for
and rule out possible physical causes for the vomiting, such as a gastrointestinal
condition. Testing can also help the doctor evaluate how the behavior has affected
the body by looking for signs of problems such as dehydration and malnutrition.
To help in the diagnosis of rumination disorder, a review of the child's eating
habits may be conducted. It's often necessary for the doctor to observe an infant
during and after feeding.

Treatment
Rumination disorder is treated with behavioral techniques. One treatment
associates bad consequences with rumination and good consequences with more
appropriate behavior (mild aversive training).
Other techniques include improving the environment (if there is abuse or
neglect) and counseling the parents.

Prevention
There is no known prevention. However, normal stimulation and healthy
parent-child relationships may help reduce the odds of rumination disorder.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Eating or food disturbance such as lack of interest in food or eating,

avoidance based upon sensory characteristics of food or concern
about aversive effects of eating.
ARFID is an eating disorder that prevents the consumption of
certain foods. It is often viewed as a phase of childhood that is
generally overcome with age. Some people may not grow out of the
disorder, however, and may continue to be afflicted with ARFID
throughout their adult lives.

Criteria for ARFID according to DSM-5

1. An eating or feeding disturbance (e.g., apparent lack of interest in eating or
food; avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of food; concern about
aversive consequences of eating) as manifested by persistent failure to meet
appropriate nutritional and/or energy needs associated with one (or more) of
the following:
Significant weight loss (or failure to achieve expected weight gain or
faltering growth in children).
Significant nutritional deficiency.
Dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements.
Marked interference with psychosocial functioning.
2. The disturbance is not better explained by lack of available food or by an
associated culturally sanctioned practice.
3. The eating disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course
of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, and there is no evidence of a
disturbance in the way in which ones body weight or shape is experienced
[body image].
4. The eating disturbance is not attributable to a concurrent medical condition
or not better explained by another mental disorder. When the eating
disturbance occurs in the context of another condition or disorder, the
severity of the eating disturbance exceeds that routinely associated with the
condition or disorder and warrants additional clinical attention.

Causes
The eating issues seen with a diagnosis of ARFID are often associated with
being uninterested in eating, may be related to the sensory characteristics of the
food, or concern about the consequences of eating. Some specific examples of this
would be a refusal to eat anything other than liquids or soft foods, an intense fear
of choking, or limiting intake to only a specific brand/type of food.

Diagnosis
The previous diagnosis of feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood
indicated that these issues developed prior to age 6. While this is often the case,
ARFID is also seen in late childhood, adolescence, and may persist into
adulthood.
Unfortunately, there has been little research done on the development, course,
and treatment of these issues. However, it is hypothesized that some cases may
develop as a result of specific experiences surrounding food and eating an
experience with choking, for example. Children, who have had to rely on

nutritional supplements as a result of a medical condition, may also struggle with

a return to normalized eating.

Treatment
With time the symptoms of ARFID can lessen and can eventually
disappear without treatment. However, in some cases treatment will be needed as
the symptoms persist into adulthood. The most common type of treatment for
ARFID is some form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Working with a clinician
can help to change behaviors more quickly than symptoms may typically
disappear without treatment.
Children can benefit from a four stage in-home treatment program based
on the principles of systematic desensitization. The four stages of the treatment
are record, reward, relax and review.

In the record stage, children are encouraged to keep a log of their

typical eating behaviors without attempting to change their habits as
well as their cognitive feelings.

The reward stage involves systematic desensitization. Children create a

list of foods that they might like to try eating some day. These foods
may not be drastically different from their normal diet, but perhaps a
familiar food prepared in a different way. Because the goal is for the
children to try new foods, children are rewarded when they sample
new foods.

The relaxation stage is most important for those children that suffer
severe anxiety when presented with unfavorable foods. Children learn
to relax to reduce the anxiety that they feel. Children work through a
list of anxiety-producing stimuli and can create a story line with
relaxing imagery and scenarios. Often these stories can also include the
introduction of new foods with the help of a real person or fantasy
person. Children then listen to this story before eating new foods as a
way to imagine themselves participating in an expanded variety of
foods while relaxed.

The final stage, review, is important to keep track of the child's

progress. It is important to include both one-on-one sessions with the

child, as well as with the parent in order to get a clear picture of how
the child is progressing and if the relaxation techniques are working.
There are picky eating support groups for adults with ARFID.

Anorexia Nervosa
People who intentionally starve themselves suffer from an eating disorder called
anorexia nervosa.
RESTRICTING TYPE
No recurrent episodes of binge eating or purging. Weight
loss accomplished by dieting, fasting and excessive exercise
The person restricts their food intake on their own and does
not engage in binge-eating or purging behavior.
BINGE-EATING/PURGING TYPE
Recurrent binge eating or purging
The person self-induces vomiting or misuses laxatives,
diuretics, or enemas.

Symptoms
Anorexic food behavior signs and symptoms

Dieting despite being thin Following a severely restricted diet.

Eating only certain low-calorie foods. Banning bad foods such as
carbohydrates and fats.
Obsession with calories, fat grams, and nutrition Reading
food labels, measuring and weighing portions, keeping a food diary,
reading diet books.
Pretending to eat or lying about eating Hiding, playing with, or
throwing away food to avoid eating. Making excuses to get out of meals
(I had a huge lunch or My stomach isnt feeling good.).
Preoccupation with food Constantly thinking about food.
Cooking for others, collecting recipes, reading food magazines, or
making meal plans while eating very little.
Strange or secretive food rituals Refusing to eat around others
or in public places. Eating in rigid, ritualistic ways (e.g. cutting food
just so, chewing food and spitting it out, using a specific plate).

Anorexic appearance and body image signs and symptoms

Dramatic weight loss Rapid, drastic weight loss with no medical

cause.
Feeling fat, despite being underweight You may feel
overweight in general or just too fat in certain places such as the
stomach, hips, or thighs.
Fixation on body image Obsessed with weight, body shape, or
clothing size. Frequent weigh-ins and concern over tiny fluctuations in
weight.
Harshly critical of appearance Spending a lot of time in front of
the mirror checking for flaws. Theres always something to criticize.
Youre never thin enough.
Denial that youre too thin You may deny that your low body
weight is a problem, while trying to conceal it (drinking a lot of water
before being weighed, wearing baggy or oversized clothes).

Purging signs and symptoms

Using diet pills, laxatives, or diuretics Abusing water pills,

herbal appetite suppressants, prescription stimulants, ipecac syrup,
and other drugs for weight loss.
Throwing up after eating Frequently disappearing after meals or
going to the bathroom. May run the water to disguise sounds of
vomiting or reappear smelling like mouthwash or mints.
Compulsive exercising Following a punishing exercise regimen
aimed at burning calories. Exercising through injuries, illness, and bad
weather. Working out extra hard after bingeing or eating something
bad.

Causes

Diagnosis

Body dissatisfaction
Strict dieting
Low self-esteem
Difficulty expressing feelings
Perfectionism
Troubled family relationships
History of physical or sexual abuse
Family history of eating disorders

When doctors suspect someone has anorexia, they typically run many tests
and exams to help pinpoint a diagnosis, rule out medical causes for the weight
loss, and also check for any related complications.
These exams and tests generally include:

Treatment

Physical exam. This may include measuring your height and weight;
checking your vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure and
temperature; checking your skin and nails for dryness or other problems;
listening to your heart and lungs; and examining your abdomen.
Laboratory tests. These may include a complete blood count (CBC), and
more specialized blood tests to check electrolytes and protein as well as
functioning of your liver, kidney and thyroid. A urinalysis also may be
done.
Psychological evaluation. A doctor or mental health provider will ask
about your thoughts, feelings and eating habits. You may also be asked to
complete psychological self-assessment questionnaires.
Other studies. X-rays may be taken to check for broken bones,
pneumonia or heart problems. Electrocardiograms may be done to look for
heart irregularities. Bone density testing may be done to check your bone
health. Testing may also be done to determine how much energy your
body uses, which can help in planning nutritional requirements.

Medical treatment. If malnutrition or starvation has started to break

down your body, medical treatment will be a top priority. Your doctor will
treat the medical conditions that have been caused by anorexia, such as
osteoporosis, heart problems, or depression. As you begin to get better,
your doctor will continue to follow your health and weight.
Nutritional counseling. A registered dietitian will help you take charge
of your weight in a healthy way. You will learn healthy eating patterns and
gain a good understanding of nutrition.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent anorexia nervosa. Early treatment may

be the best way to prevent the disorder from progressing. Knowing the early signs
and seeking treatment right away can help prevent complications of anorexia.

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge eating with inappropriate compensatory measures to prevent

weight gain
Bulimia (also known as bulimia nervosa) is characterized by
excessive eating, and then ridding yourself of the food by vomiting,
abusing laxatives or diuretics, taking enemas, or exercising
obsessively. This behavior of ridding yourself of the calories from
consumed food is often called "purging.

Symptoms
Binge eating signs and symptoms

Lack of control over eating Inability to stop eating. Eating until the
point of physical discomfort and pain.
Secrecy surrounding eating Going to the kitchen after everyone else
has gone to bed. Going out alone on unexpected food runs. Wanting to
eat in privacy.
Eating unusually large amounts of food with no obvious change in
weight.
Disappearance of food, numerous empty wrappers or food containers
in the garbage, or hidden stashes of junk food.
Alternating between overeating and fasting Rarely eats normal
meals. Its all-or-nothing when it comes to food.

Purging signs and symptoms

Going to the bathroom after meals Frequently disappears after meals

or takes a trip to the bathroom to throw up. May run the water to
disguise sounds of vomiting.
Using laxatives, diuretics, or enemas after eating. May also take diet
pills to curb appetite or use the sauna to sweat out water weight.
Smell of vomit The bathroom or the person may smell like vomit.
They may try to cover up the smell with mouthwash, perfume, air
freshener, gum, or mints.

Excessive exercising Works out strenuously, especially after eating.

Typical activities include high-intensity calorie burners such as
running or aerobics.

Physical signs and symptoms of bulimia

Calluses or scars on the knuckles or hands from sticking fingers down

the throat to induce vomiting.
Puffy chipmunk cheeks caused by repeated vomiting.
Discolored teeth from exposure to stomach acid when throwing up.
May look yellow, ragged, or clear.
Not underweight Men and women with bulimia are usually normal
weight or slightly overweight. Being underweight while purging might
indicate a purging type of anorexia.
Frequent fluctuations in weight Weight may fluctuate by 10 pounds
or more due to alternating episodes of bingeing and purging.

Causes
The precise cause of bulimia is unknown. Pressures and conflicts within
the family and amongst peers, stressful life events, low self-esteem, and mental
health problems are thought to make someone more likely to develop bulimia.
Many with bulimia are over-achievers and perfectionists and often feel they can't
live up to the expectations of their parents, family or peers.
They may have problems with:

Poor body image: Our cultures emphasis on thinness and beauty can
lead to body dissatisfaction, particularly in young women bombarded with
media images of an unrealistic physical ideal.

Low self-esteem: Women or men who think of themselves as useless,

worthless, and unattractive are at risk for bulimia. Things that can
contribute to low self-esteem include depression, perfectionism, childhood
abuse, and a critical home environment.

History of trauma or abuse: Women with bulimia appear to have a

higher incidence of sexual abuse. People with bulimia are also more likely
than average to have parents with a substance abuse problem or
psychological disorder.

Major life changes: Bulimia is often triggered by stressful changes or

transitions, such as the physical changes of puberty, going away to college,
or the breakup of a relationship. Binging and purging may be a negative
way to cope with the stress.

Appearance-oriented professions or activities: People who face

tremendous image pressure are vulnerable to developing bulimia. Those at
risk include ballet dancers, models, gymnasts, wrestlers, runners, and
actors.

Diagnosis
When doctors suspect you have bulimia, they typically perform:

A complete physical exam

Blood and urine tests

A psychological evaluation, including a discussion of your eating

habits and attitude toward food

Your doctor may also request an X-ray to check for broken bones,
pneumonia or heart problems and an electrocardiogram (EKG) to look for heart
irregularities.
These tests help doctors determine if you have bulimia or another eating
disorder, such as anorexia or binge-eating disorder.

Treatment
Initial treatment
Initial treatment depends how severe the bulimia is and how long
you have had it.
If you have no other conditions that need treatment first, then
treatment for bulimia usually consists of:
Psychological counseling, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
This often includes nutritional counseling to change certain behavior
and thinking patterns. The goals of CBT are to teach you to:
o Eat three meals and two snacks a day and avoid unhealthy diets.
o Reduce concern about your body weight and shape.
o Understand and reduce triggers of binge eating by examining
your relationships and emotions.
o Develop a plan to learn proper coping skills to prevent future
relapses.
Medicines. Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac, for example),
are sometimes used to reduce binge-purge cycles and relieve symptoms
of depression that often occur along with eating disorders.

 Ongoing treatment
Continuing treatment will depend on the how long you have had
bulimia and how severe it is. Continuing treatment usually consists of:
Psychological counseling, such as interpersonal therapy or cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT). The goals of CBT are to teach you to:
o Eat three meals and two snacks a day and avoid unhealthy diets.
o Reduce concern about your body weight and shape.
o Understand and reduce triggers of binge eating by examining
your personal relationships and emotions.
o Develop a plan to learn proper coping skills to prevent future
relapses.
Antidepressant medicines. Antidepressants can help lower the number
of binge-purge cycles you have and may also be used to treat another
related condition, such as depression or anxiety.

Prevention
There is no known way to prevent bulimia. Early treatment may be the
best way to prevent the disorder from progressing. Knowing the signs of bulimia
and seeking immediate medical care can help prevent long-term health problems
caused by bulimia.
There are many ways that adults can help children and teens develop a
healthy view of themselves and learn to approach food and exercise with a
positive attitude. Doing this may prevent some children and teens from
developing this disorder.

Encourage a healthy view of self and others. Teach children to take good
care of their bodies. Avoid making comments that link being thin to being
popular or healthy.
Have a healthy approach to food and exercise. Avoid punishing or
rewarding your children with food. And be a good role model for healthy
eating and exercising.

Binge-eating Disorder

Recurrent episodes of binge eating with loss of control during the

episode associated with
Rapid eating
Eating when uncomfortably full
Eating when not feeling hungry
Eating alone due to embarrassment

Symptoms

Feelings of disgust or depression after an episode

Binge eating disorder is characterized by compulsive overeating in
which people consume huge amounts of food while feeling out of
control and powerless to stop

The symptoms of binge eating disorder usually begin in late adolescence or

early adulthood, often after a major diet. A binge eating episode typically lasts
around two hours, but some people binge on and off all day long. Binge eaters
often eat even when theyre not hungry and continue eating long after theyre full.
They may also gorge themselves as fast as they can while barely registering what
theyre eating or tasting.
Behavioral
overeating

symptoms

of

binge

eating

and

compulsive

Inability to stop eating or control what youre eating

Rapidly eating large amounts of food
Eating even when you're full
Hiding or stockpiling food to eat later in secret
Eating normally around others, but gorging when youre alone
Eating continuously throughout the day, with no planned mealtimes

Emotional symptoms of binge eating and compulsive overeating

Feeling stress or tension that is only relieved by eating

Embarrassment over how much youre eating
Feeling numb while bingeinglike youre not really there or youre on
auto-pilot.
Never feeling satisfied, no matter how much you eat
Feeling guilty, disgusted, or depressed after overeating
Desperation to control weight and eating habits

Causes
Biological causes of binge eating disorder
Biological abnormalities can contribute to binge eating. For
example, the hypothalamus (the part of the brain that controls appetite) may not
be sending correct messages about hunger and fullness. Researchers have also
found a genetic mutation that appears to cause food addiction. Finally, there is
evidence that low levels of the brain chemical serotonin play a role in compulsive
eating.

 Social and cultural causes of binge eating disorder

Social pressure to be thin can add to the shame binge eaters feel
and fuel their emotional eating. Some parents unwittingly set the stage for binge
eating by using food to comfort, dismiss, or reward their children. Children who
are exposed to frequent critical comments about their bodies and weight are also
vulnerable, as are those who have been sexually abused in childhood.

Psychological causes of binge eating disorder

Depression and binge eating are strongly linked. Many binge eaters
are either depressed or have been before; others may have trouble with impulse
control and managing and expressing their feelings. Low self-esteem, loneliness,
and body dissatisfaction may also contribute to binge eating.

Diagnosis
Binge eating is similar to bulimia, another eating disorder. However,
people with binge-eating disorder don't purge themselves of the extra calories
they consume. That's why many people with binge-eating disorder are often
overweight.
To diagnose an eating disorder, your doctor may recommend:

A physical exam
Blood and urine tests
A psychological evaluation, including discussion of your eating
habits

Your doctor may want you to have other tests to check for health
consequences of binge-eating disorder, such as heart problems or gallbladder
disease.

Treatment
Therapy for binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder can be successfully treated in therapy. Therapy can teach
you how to fight the compulsion to binge, exchange unhealthy habits for newer

healthy ones, monitor your eating and moods, and develop effective stressbusting skills.
Three types of therapy are particularly helpful in the treatment of binge eating
disorder:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the dysfunctional thoughts
and behaviors involved in binge eating. One of the main goals is for you to
become more self-aware of how you use food to deal with emotions. The
therapist will help you recognize your binge eating triggers and learn how
to avoid or combat them. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for binge eating
disorder also involves education about nutrition, healthy weight loss, and
relaxation techniques.
Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on the relationship problems
and interpersonal issues that contribute to compulsive eating. Your
therapist will help you improve your communication skills and develop
healthier relationships with family members and friends. As you learn how
to relate better to others and get the emotional support you need, the
compulsion to binge becomes more infrequent and easier to resist.
Dialectical
behavior
therapy combines
cognitive-behavioral
techniques with mindfulness meditation. The emphasis of therapy is on
teaching binge eaters how to accept themselves, tolerate stress better, and
regulate their emotions. Your therapist will also address unhealthy
attitudes you may have about eating, shape, and weight. Dialectical
behavior therapy typically includes both individual treatment sessions and
weekly group therapy sessions.
Support for binge eating disorder
Breaking the old pattern of binge eating is hard, and you may slip from time to
time. This is where the support of others can really come in handy. Family,
friends, and therapists can all be part of your support team. You may also find
that joining a group for binge eaters is helpful. Sharing your experience with
other compulsive eaters can go a long way towards reducing the stigma and
loneliness you may feel.
There are many group options, including self-help support groups and more
formal therapy groups.

Group therapy Group therapy sessions are led by a trained

psychotherapist, and may cover everything from healthy eating to coping
with the urge to binge.
Support groups Support groups for binge eating are led by trained
volunteers or health professionals. Group members give and receive advice
and support each other.

 Medications for binge eating disorder

Medication is not a cure for binge eating disorder. A number of medications may
be useful in helping to treat binge eating disorder symptoms as part of a
comprehensive treatment program that includes therapy, group support, and
proven self-help techniques.

Topamax The seizure drug topiramate, or Topamax, may decrease

binge eating and increase weight loss. However, Topamax can cause
serious side effects, including fatigue, dizziness, and burning or tingling
sensations.
Antidepressants Research shows that antidepressants may decrease
binge eating in people with bulimia and may also help people with binge
eating disorder. However, studies also show that relapse rates are high
when the drug is discontinued.

Prevention
Although it might not be possible to prevent all cases of binge
eating disorder, it is helpful to begin treatment in people as soon as they begin to
have symptoms. In addition, teaching and encouraging healthy eating habits and
realistic attitudes about food and body image also might be helpful in preventing
the development or worsening of eating disorders.