Treatment For Binge Eating Disorder
The treatment for binge eating disorder will most likely include a multidisciplinary approach combining therapy, dietary modifications, and perhaps even medications.
Treatment for binge eating disorder may be either inpatient at a residential facility or outpatient in nature. Because currently there is no official diagnosis for binge eating disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, it is often diagnosed as an eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) and treatment may or may not be covered by insurance.
Talk therapy or counseling will often be employed in the treatment for binge eating disorder as the dysfunctional behavior of binging is a symptom of an underlying issue. People with binge eating disorder may have unresolved trauma and/or difficulty expressing their emotions. They must learn healthier ways to identify their needs and feelings as well as to communicate them appropriately. Once people with binge eating disorder learn healthier coping mechanisms the symptoms of their disorder often decrease in intensity or disappear altogether.
Treatment for binge eating disorder may also include working with a dietician to learn about appropriate meal sizes and food choices. The dietician may also monitor feelings of fullness before and after eating as well as if there were any emotions associated with meals, snacks, or binges.
Sometimes, the treatment of binge eating disorders may also include the use of medications. Anti-depressants are used to help patients who have depressive symptoms. An anti-seizure medication called carbamazepine had been studied and been shown to sometimes be effective for excessive appetite. Appetite suppressants may also rarely be used.
Treatment for binge eating disorder often takes many months of consistent work. It may include input from an entire team of professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, dieticians, counselors, and therapists. With treatment for binge eating disorder many people are able to fully recover and live healthier, happier lives.
Eating Disorder Self Test. Take the EAT-26 self test to see if you might have eating disorder symptoms that might require professional evaluation. All answers are confidential.