Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa are two very serious types of eating disorders. There are overlapping criteria for the disorders, and the main difference is the presence of purging, which occurs in Bulimia. Individuals with Bulimia Nervosa will engage in periods of binge-eating followed by purging while people with binge eating disorders do not purge after a period of bingeing. There are also other differences between the two disorders to be aware of.
Binge eating disorder and Bulimia nervosa affect 2-3% of women in the US, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). In addition, ANAD reports that over half of Bulimia nervosa patients have at least one mood or anxiety disorder which they need to address with the help of a professional. One in ten Bulimia nervosa and Binge eating disorder clients suffer from an addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Binge Eating Disorder Signs
Often times people will “emotionally eat” due to feeling upset or lonely. People with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) struggle to control their eating habits and can’t stop themselves from repeatedly overeating, even though they don’t enjoy the process of over-eating and feel ashamed about the behavior afterward. Potential signs of BED are:
- Eating quickly or without being aware of what you are eating;
- Consumption of large quantities of food, even though you are not hungry;
- Eating in private due to embarrassment;
- Experience suicidal thoughts, feelings of depression and guilt after an episode.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) says that people with BED having binge episodes for at least once each week for three consecutive months. BED sufferers may be overweight and self-conscious about the changes in their bodies; there is not always a body image component to the disorder as there may be with other eating disorders. Since the binge episodes often occur in secret, friends and family members may not be aware that individual is struggling, which can make it hard to diagnose. An official diagnosis should only be made by a mental health professional.
Bulimia Nervosa Signs
As opposed to Binge eating disorder, people with Bulimia nervosa (BN) may engage in harmful compensatory behaviors such as purging, fasting, or over-exercise. These behaviors keep their body weight at an unhealthy level and prevent them from establishing an effective healthy relationship with food. Common signs of Bulimia Nervosa include, but are not limited to, exercising for several hours a day, use or abuse of diuretics and laxatives, and use or abuse of stimulants in order to increase metabolism. A distorted views of one’s body is also an indication that someone may have bulimia nervosa. Individuals with bulimia nervosa generally see themselves as overweight despite the fact that they me be significantly underweight.
Binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa are similar in that an individual may feel uncomfortable around others when eating, or refuse to eat with people. However, this is not always the case. Bulimia nervosa can also compel someone to develop food rituals, such as chewing excessively, hoard food, or only eat certain foods.
People with bulimia nervosa may purge after eating, drink large amounts of fluids to control weight and frequently avoid food in public. The behavior is also often done in secret, yet there may be signs, such as swollen jaws or cheeks, callouses on the knuckles, teeth stains, bloated appearances and various ailments stemming from a weak immune system. People suffering from bulimia nervosa may worry excessively about their appearance, and might examine themselves for flaws in the mirror.
The Health Risks of Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa
Though the health risks of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder differ slightly, both disorders are characterized by major medical complications. These complications may leave you with lifelong consequences.
The biggest risk for someone who is binge eating is obesity. One of the more serious health conditions associated with obesity is heart disease. The connection exists because an individual’s weight, blood sugar levels, levels of high cholesterol and triglycerides can all be related to risk for cardiovascular disease.
People with bulimia nervosa often experience medical issues such as a compromised immune system. Some of the health problems that may arise from this eating disorder include:
- Heartburn and acid reflux
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Passing out
- Heart arrhythmia
- Muscle weakness
- Gum disease, gingivitis or decay of teeth
- Brittle and breaking nails
- Dry, flaky skin
- Hair thinning/hair loss/bald spots
- Abnormal hair growth on the body
- Slow healing of open wounds
Mental health issues have long been associated with bulimia and binge eating disorder. Both involve major depression, panic disorder, self-injury behaviors, substance abuse, and lack of impulse control.
People diagnosed with type I diabetes may also have a disorder called diabulimia nervosa which is caused by a person with bulimia deliberately restricting their insulin to lose weight. Diabulimia nervosa is different from bulimia or binge eating disorder because it comes about as a result of the individual having type I diabetes, pair with the fear that insulin will lead to weight gain. They may also withhold their intake of certain foods to decrease insulin levels, and withdraw from family and friends to avoid being confronted about not treating their diabetes.
How Do You Treat Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia Nervosa?
A binge eating disorder or bulimia nervosa treatment plan includes corresponding psychotherapies and requisite medication regimens crafted by specialists in treating such conditions. These specialists may include therapists, primary care physicians, psychiatrists and dietitians.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) are two types of psychotherapies that can help those with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder. Both therapies help teach skills around emotional regulation and halting negative thoughts. Clients can also learn how insomnia, food binges, self-induced vomiting and the abuse of drugs may impact their physical and mental health. When counseling clients with eating disorder, therapists recommend focusing on work-life balance and self-care, and teach steps for how to consciously incorporate these into their lives.
Common skills learned through CBT and DBT include:
- Reducing negative thoughts and controlling emotions
- Understanding and recognizing triggers and barriers that stop you from controlling your thoughts
- Teaching yourself how to recognize and dismiss unhelpful and illogical thoughts
- Using mindfulness to observe seemingly random emotions and distress
What is Radical Acceptance and How Does It Help?
Radical acceptance in psychotherapy means accepting something for what it is fully and wholly. As a result of therapy, people with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder are taught not to jump to conclusions about something they perceive as detrimental or negative. Radical acceptance is the ability to accept reality as it truly is rather than making assumptions about what things should be. However, it does not encourage passive behavior, but instead encourages clients to think differently and make decisions in a rational way. By doing so, people with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder can start taking control of their thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
A history of trauma can influence how one can use skill and cope effectively. Trauma can lead to eating disorders, and CBT and DBT can help to manage the reactions and thoughts that are connected to the trauma.
Distress Tolerance
Methods of distress tolerance through cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy allow for bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder clients to experience a difficult moment without the situation getting worse. People with eating disorders, in particular, need to master distress tolerance techniques since self-destructive behavior often results from ineffective coping skills. Through the use of mindful alternatives, clients can modify hurtful, unproductive ways of coping with their eating disorder. In therapy we remind clients that you will have moments of distress that you can get through without the aid of an eating disorder behavior.
Coping Skills
Learning to cope with the events that trigger a sense of panic and fear for an individual with these eating disorders is key in any treatment program. Many clients feel lost when it comes to managing conflict because they do not know any healthy ways of dealing with stress. For someone with bulimia nervosa or BED, situations that are not challenging for other people may sometimes be considered too difficult. With the help of a therapist, decision-making skills, sense of self-worth and self-esteem can all improve.
Spur Counseling helps those with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder learn how to cope through teaching them different sets of skills and strategies.
We know that going from the grips of binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa or other life-altering issues to wellness can be challenging. We offer compassionate treatment for individuals with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
If you are searching for an “eating disorder therapist near me,” reach out today to set up online counseling.
