Eating Disorder or ED is a serious psychological disorder that leads to alterations in eating, generating intense concern in relation to weight and body image, among others. This disorder affects both the emotional, social, physical and physiological spheres, since people constantly alter their eating habits, which can trigger a disease. There are different types of eating disorders, including binge-eating disorder. Mary Castro, psychologist at Clinica Ricardo Palma, gives us more information on this topic.

What is binge-eating disorder?

It is a disorder in which an unbridled appetite appears that causes excessive consumption of food without having control of the amount and speed with which it is ingested, making the affected person unable to stop eating. It can occur at any time of the day, even in the early morning, and usually happens when you have intense episodes of anxiety.

How does our brain react?

The normal patterns that stimulate the appetite, and even the taste for food, are altered, causing that at the time of uncontrolled ingestion the affected person does not appreciate the flavors or feel satisfied, so they continue eating.

How do people with this disorder feel?

People who go through this tend to have feelings of guilt, which can cause them not to want to eat for several days or until they vomit the food they have eaten. In some cases, they use laxatives in order to reduce this feeling, regardless of the consequences that it may have on their health.

Treatment

It is very important that people who suffer from it seek psychological support so that the specialist can help them strengthen their self-esteem, reduce the level of anxiety, gain control of their impulses and regulate their emotions, making them accept the problem and feel motivated to improve their situation. In some cases, the intervention of a psychiatrist and the monitoring of a nutritionist are necessary to guide the patient to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Mary Castro
Psychologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma