Binge Eating Disorder
TREATMENT IN ATLANTA
People joke about indulging in too much food or having a sweet tooth, but for some, it’s beyond enjoying food at an unhealthy level now and then. Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder that strikes the lives of many people and can cause physical and emotional damage. Someone who has it often is unaware of the problem, so they do not seek help. Many people search for “binge eating disorder treatment near me”, but either don’t find what they need or get overwhelmed by the choices. Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry created a program for treating binge eating disorder that drills down on the psychological reasons a person feels driven to engage in their behaviors. From there, the individual can learn to have a healthy relationship with food and enjoy improved mental health.
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating disorder is a diagnosable eating disorder in which a person eats abnormally large amounts of food in one sitting. Typically, they consume the food during two hours or less, often eating to the point of discomfort or pain. During the time the person eats, they feel they cannot stop themselves from binging. After the binge, the individual feels disgusted with themselves and remorse for their actions.
To try to make up for any weight gain that comes from binge eating, the person may use bulimic behaviors like purging (self-induced vomiting) or taking laxatives. They may also attempt to restrict food for a period of time but ultimately return to binge eating episodes again.
Binge eating isn’t triggered by hunger. In fact, eating disorders aren’t really about calories, body image, or weight. They are mental illnesses that people develop to cope with issues they cannot overcome, such as depression, PTSD, anxiety, and more. The eating disorder behaviors are actually poor coping skills the individual uses to cope with painful feelings or memories because they have not developed healthy coping skills.
Anyone who knows they have a binge eating disorder or would like more information to find out if they do should search for “binge eating disorder treatment near me”. Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry is a great place to start for skillful treatment on an outpatient basis.
If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder
call us now or schedule a free consultation today and begin your journey to healing!
Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
It can be difficult to recognize binge eating disorder in both yourself and someone else. Initially, the person may just seem like they sometimes stress eat or overeat, but other behaviors are usually taking place, sometimes in private. Symptoms that someone may have a binge eating disorder include:
- Eating secretly away from others
- Eating a very large amount of food, often to the point of physical discomfort
- Hiding food purchases and empty food wrappers
- Obsessed with recipes and cooking shows
- Ashamed of the person’s weight and body shape
- Using crash diet techniques after binge eating
- Weight gain
- Feeling self-hatred after binging episodes
- Physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, and gastrointestinal distress
If these symptoms sound familiar, it’s imperative to look for binge eating disorder treatment near me. The sooner a person gets help, the faster they can regain their physical and mental health.
Causes of Binge Eating Disorder
There isn’t a singular cause to point to when it comes to why a person develops a binge eating disorder. Certain influencers can contribute to having an eating disorder. For example, having a family history of eating disorders increases a person’s chances of developing one. Other experiences and behaviors that can increase a person’s chances of having a binge eating disorder include:
- Having a mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, particularly if it’s not being addressed in therapy
- Experiencing a traumatic event and turning to food to soothe painful feelings
- Having low self-esteem and/or a poor body image
- Continually going on diets and gaining and losing weight
- Obsessing over social media accounts and feeling the need to compete with “perfect” women who are thin.
- Being a victim of body-shaming by family members or schoolmates
Several types of treatment for binge eating disorder can bring positive and long-lasting results. Exposing the person to several types of therapy allows them to work on past issues and current life challenges while learning to reframe how they view food and their bodies. Common types of therapies used to treat binge eating disorder include:
Our facility also offer nutritional counseling to help people relearn a positive relationship with food and know how to eat for their specific needs.
Medications for Binge Eating Disorder
While medication alone cannot cure binge eating disorder, there are some meds that, when used while participating in therapy, can help alleviate some of the symptoms. Common medications used to treat binge eating disorder include:
- Lisdexamfetamine (brand name: Vyvanse): This drug is approved by the FDA to treat binge eating disorder. It causes the brain to produce dopamine and norepinephrine, which are chemicals that increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction, In turn, this lowers the person’s desire to binge eat.
- Topiramate (brand name: Topamax): While this drug is often prescribed to treat migraines and seizures, it is sometimes prescribed to help reduce the urge to binge eat.
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs): Some people respond well to SSRI drugs like Zoloft and Celexa, which are commonly prescribed to treat depression.
Find Binge Eating Disorder Treatment Near Me
Do you suspect you have binge eating disorder and want to find the right program to put it behind you? Maybe you’ve gone for treatment before but didn’t get the lasting results you deserve. If you wonder about “binge eating disorder treatment near me”, Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry can help you. We employ a talented and compassionate team of experts who understand how to help someone recover from an eating disorder. Attending the right therapy sessions for your situation and taking any necessary medications can move you out of your misery and into a healthy new life. Call us now or schedule a appointment and let’s talk about how we can help you. No one should have to suffer from binge eating disorder. Let us show you the way out.
You are not alone. You deserve to get help.
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry is an Industry leader in mental health treatment . Our team of top medical experts specialize in dual diagnosis treat and are committed to ensuring that each patient is treated as an individual.
Call us today, we're avialable 24/7.
