Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

Those seeking binge eating disorder treatment know how devastating binge eating disorder can be on themselves and those around them. Just overcoming the shame typically surrounding binge eating disorder is a huge step forward in binge eating treatment. Binge eating disorder is a mental illness and needs to be recognized as such by the overeater and those around them.

Get Binge Eating Treatment Early

It is with early intervention that treatment for binge eating disorder has the greatest chance of success. Of course education and awareness will contribute to prevention but realizing the signs early will also increase ones chances of overcoming this disorder. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, if you're recognizing symptoms of binge eating disorder, you should talk to your health care provider about the type of help that may be best for you.

Medical Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder

For those with severe health problems, a visit to a doctor will be the first step in treatment for binge eating disorder. The doctor will ask questions as part of the diagnosis process and run necessary tests to analyze any damage done by binge eating disorder or associated conditions. Hospitalization is almost never needed in binge eating treatment unless other severe medical complications are present.

The goal of treatment is to get control of binge eating behavior, return to a healthy diet and lose weight if necessary. The doctor will make a binge eating disorder treatment plan which may include one or more of the following:¹

• Nutritional counseling
• A diet plan
• An exercise plan
• Individual therapy (binge eating therapy)
• Group or family therapy
• Medication

Compulsive Eating Treatment and Medication

Medication is sometimes used as part of compulsive binge eating treatment. This is most common when depression or anxiety is a factor. Antidepressants are one type of medication that is prescribed for the treatment of binge eating disorder. Typical antidepressants include:²

• Prozac - a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
• Paxil - an SSRI
• Topamax - an anti-seizure medication

Nutritional Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder

People with binge eating disorder often suffer from nutritional deficits as the foods they have binged on are typically high in fat and have few vitamins and minerals. Nutritional treatment for binge eating disorder attempts to create a healthy eating plan that will correct these deficits in the compulsive overeater. Additionally, it may help the compulsive overeater lose weight. In nutritional binge eating therapy, the diet focuses on gradual weight loss using nutritionally balanced meals and snacks. It may also include educating the binge eater about nutrition and helping them to make more nutritionally balanced food choices every day.

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