Binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder may normally manifest in the obese, but it may also affect those of an average weight as well. If your troubled teen suffers from binge eating then he/she may exhibit symptoms that are common to bulimics as well. The difference lies in the fact that those suffering from binge eating disorder do not follow their periodic binges with purging. A binge eater can eat a great amount of food (enough to feel an unpleasant fullness) in a small amount of time (a few hours.) It has been observed that many teenagers who have developed the disorder previously dealt with depression. The disorder may also result from a teenager attempting to diet in order to fit in to adolescent standards and then end up bingeing under pressure instead. Binges have been also observed to follow sensitive experiences which tend to trigger an individual’s insecurities. In these cases, he/she may binge in order to comfort him/herself.
The following are possible physical effects of the disorder:
- serious weight gain
- extreme changes in weight
- body odor
- swelling in the limbs
- skin irritations or acne
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- diabetes, heart disease, or gallbladder disease
Recognizing binge eating disorder in your teen
The difference between the normal way that some teens eat more than they ought to eat on one occasion and a teen suffering from binge eating disorder is control. The prior teen can stop whenever he/she wants to, the latter teen suffering from binge eating can not stop that easily. Occasions of bingeing may occur for him/her periodically in the months to come.
The following are characteristics of the disorder that your teen may manifest:
- bingeing
- isolation during meal times
- depression
- preoccupation with food and appearance (body weight)
- overcome with negativity after a binge (feelings of depression or guilt may consume him/her)
Treatment of a teen with binge eating disorder
What many parents may not know is that dieting may actually aggravate binge eating disorder. Most of the treatments for bulimia nervosa can be successfully applied to those with binge eating disorder, though hospitalization is not normally required. It has been observed that cognitive-behavioral therapy, which makes an individual fully aware of his/her actions, helps in treatment of this disorder. Not only individual therapy but group or family therapy has also been recommended to support healthy social relations. Antidepressants have also been known to aid in restraining binges, while support groups may keep a sufferer steady and stable. |
