Do You Use Food to Cope with Stress and Depression?

Do you eat when you aren't hungry and until you are sick? Do you sneak food or hide your eating habits from your loved ones? Are you overweight, obese, or ashamed that you are unable to control your eating habits? If so, you might be suffering from binge-eating disorder, a condition that an estimated 2 percent of Americans struggle with every day.

People suffering with binge-eating disorder experience frequent episodes of uncontrollable eating. They often eat large amounts of food when not physically hungry, eat very rapidly, and hide food because they are embarrassed about how much they are eating. These binges are often unhealthy ways of coping with stress and strong emotions, such as depression and anger.

The binge-eating is very similar to that seen in individuals suffering with bulimia, except those with binge-eating disorder do not purge their bodies of the excess calories consumed and are often overweight for their age and height. Binge-eaters are aware of their eating disorder, but feel completely unable to do anything to stop the pattern of behavior. Experts estimate that 10 to 15 percent of chronic dieters suffer from this eating disorder, and binge-eaters are even more prone than other dieters to fall into the trap of unhealthy fad diets.

People with this disorder report a feeling of impaired control during episodes of overeating. They often experience great distress over these behaviors and about their weight, yet they cannot seem to stop what they are doing. The feelings of shame and guilt associated with this illness can lead to a dangerous cycle, as the person continues to binge to escape the negative emotions caused by their out-of-control eating and weight gain.

Depression is present in the majority of cases, although it is not clear whether depression causes the binge-eating to begin or the other way around. Anxiety and substance abuse are also commonly associated with this disorder. If left untreated, binge-eating disorder can result in high blood pressure and cholesterol, gallbladder disease, diabetes, heart disease, low self-esteem, problems with social relationships and antisocial behavior.

Different types of therapy are used to help treat this disorder. Family therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy teach people techniques to monitor and change their eating habits and the way they respond to stress. Dieting is not the answer, as individuals with this disorder need to learn new coping skills that do not involve food. In some cases, antidepressant medications may be prescribed to be used in conjunction with therapy.