Using Food For Comfort: Understanding the Prevalence of Binge Eating Disorder

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Denver, Colorado, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) May 24, 2011 -- Using Food For Comfort
Understanding the Prevalence of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating, differs significantly from sporadically consuming more than desired amounts of food, as many picture it. Imagine a person who has a habitual pattern of uncontrollably eating excessive amounts of food. Food is rapidly ingested when confronted with overwhelming or uncomfortable feelings such as stress, hurt, anger or disappointment. Persons dealing with a binge episode may find it comforting and soothing to eat, but after a binge, feelings of guilt and unhappiness about the out-of-control eating often ensue.

Binge eating is often a way of dealing with or avoiding difficult emotions. Usually, people who binge eat are not aware of what's driving them to overeat. Unfortunately, binge eating is a common scenario in the lives of many Americans. About 25 million people, eight percent of the population, in the U.S. struggle with binge eating disorder (BED). As a result of its prevalence and social depiction, many people do not recognize overeating as a means of coping with life as an issue. However, binge eating disorder is a serious matter that is recognized as the most widespread eating disorder.

While anorexia and bulimia might be the most well known eating disorders, binge eaters out-number anorexics and bulimics combined. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in their lifetime, 0.6 percent of the adult population in the U.S. will suffer from anorexia, 1.0 percent from bulimia, and 2.8 percent from binge eating disorder.

BED can be difficult to spot because its suffers do not necessarily fit a particular body type or profile. Eating disorder patients are comprised of individuals of all shapes and sizes. Similar to anorexia and bulimia, the “behavior” (binging) serves as an attempt to find a tangible solution to an emotional struggle. In fact, marked distress regarding binge eating must be present to meet the diagnostic criteria. This distress includes unpleasant feelings during and after a binge-eating episode, as well as concerns about the long-term effect of the recurrent episodes on body weight, shape and self-esteem.

Although these eating behaviors are exceedingly prevalent within society, they are extremely damaging and present a number of harmful consequences to those who suffer. As noted by EDCD Clinical Director Tamara Pryor, Ph.D., “Those dealing with BED are subject to increased depression and anxiety which may potentially lead to more detrimental issues such as psychological instability and excessive unfavorable weight gain.”

The Eating Disorder Center of Denver (EDCD) recently launched a new treatment to formally treat BED. The 10-week treatment program is one of the only specialized binge eating programs in the country. EDCD’s Binge Eating Disorder (BED) treatment team measured significant changes in each of the participants, based on physical and psychological measures. Specifically, the participants ranked the quality of services as 4.5 out of five. Several of our BED specialized groups, within our evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program (CBT), including psychodrama, art therapy and movement group received exceptionally high ratings by the patients. For more information, visit the Eating Disorder Center of Denver at www.edcdenver.com.

About Eating Disorder Center of Denver
Established in 2001, Eating Disorder Center of Denver (EDCD) is one of the nation's foremost centers for the diagnosis and treatment of the full range of eating disorders.

EDCD is committed to empowering individuals 18 years of age and older suffering with anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and related disorders to help them achieve and sustain recovery. A multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, physicians, clinicians, family therapists and registered dietitians work together to create a specialized, evidence-based treatment plan for each patient. For additional information about EDCD, visit www.edcdenver.com, call 303-771-0861, follow us on Twitter @EDCDenver or Friend us on Facebook.

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