Self-Help Effective at Treating Binge Eating

Binge eating is not yet classified as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, but it is being considered for inclusion in the future. For now, binge eating is included provisionally in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). To receive a diagnosis of binge eating, you must meet the criteria set out by the DSM.

According to the Mayo Clinic, "DSM diagnostic criteria for binge-eating disorder include:

- Recurrent episodes of binge eating, including eating an abnormally large amount of food and feeling a lack of control over eating.

- Binge eating that's associated with at least three of these factors: eating rapidly; eating until you're uncomfortably full; eating large amounts when you're not hungry; eating alone out of embarrassment; or feeling disgusted, depressed or guilty after eating.

- Concern about your binge eating.

- Binge eating occurs at least twice a week for at least six months.

- Binge eating isn't associated with inappropriate methods to compensate for overeating, such as self-induced vomiting.

The effects of overeating on a person's overall health is reflected in the number on the scale. Binge eaters are usually overweight, since their food intake is so high and out of their control. Being overweight carries health risks from cardiovascular disease to high blood pressure to joint problems and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), among many others.

While binge eating is the most common disorder in the United States, treatment approaches have been ineffective at curbing the disorder.

Recent research released by Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research suggests that the answer may be much simpler than once thought.

In their study, 123 participants, most women with an average age of 37 who binged at least one time per week, were split into two groups.

Group one received standard treatment of notifications of weight management programs, healthy eating, medical treatments and nutritional services.

The second group followed the plan in the book, "Overcoming Binge Eating" (the researchers had no ties to the book or author). These participants met with a health educator eight times over the 12 week study, and kept a food diary and a log of the triggers that made them binge.

The researchers found that at the one year mark, only 28 percent of the first group had stopped their binge eating, while 63 percent of group two had stopped the behavior.

The self-help approach works because binge eaters learn the techniques to deal with the binging themselves, so they don't have to depend on external sources to keep them on track. With the assistance of a trained professional to get started, their success is greatly increased.

For binge eaters, this study offers hope. It is a simple way for sufferers to gain control over their lives and eating habits, and more importantly, over their health.

The study is published in the April 2010 edition of the American Psychological Association's Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

For more information on binge eating see:
HelpGuide: Binge Eating Disorder: SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, TREATMENT, AND HELP