Binge-Eating Disorder – Treatment, Prevention and Home Remedies for Binge-Eating Disorder

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– July 30, 2010Posted in: Diseases and Conditions

Binge-eating disorder is a common condition that affect millions of Americans. The main characteristics of this eating disorder is that a person eats large amounts of food and they do not have self control over their eating patterns. These binge episodes can last typically for two hours, but some people binge on and off the whole day. They eat even when they are not hungry and is considered as the most common eating disorders, but this disorder cannot be regarded as a psychiatric condition. Treatment should be taken for this disorder which can include psychotherapy and certain medications that can lift the mood of a person suffering from this disorder along with depression.

Treatment
The main goal is to reduce the episodes of binge eating that improves the emotional well-being of the person. The treatment should deal with the psychological issues of the patient. The different types of treatment include:

Psychotherapy
This therapy involves individual or group sessions that help a person to replace the unhealthy habits with healthy one. The types of psychotherapy include:

Cognitive Therapy: In this therapy the therapists work to feel you better with those issues that cause binge-eating episodes. The negative feelings about ones own body is tried to remove from the mind of a person.
Interpersonal Therapy: This therapy focuses on the current relationships with other person which reduces the binge eating that may be triggered by unhealthy communication skills and poor relationships. This therapy includes improving the interpersonal skills of a person with his/her family members and friends.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy: In this therapy, the focus is to learn behavioral skills that help a person to tolerate stress and improve relationships with others.
Medications
There is no medication that is specially prescribed for treating this eating disorder. Some of the medicines that are given to reduce the symptoms include:

  • Antidepressants may be given as they affect the brain chemicals that is responsible for the mood changes.
  • Ant anxiety drugs can also be given to stabilize a depressed mood.
  • Anticonvulsant drugs may be given if a person suffers from seizures.
  • Anti-obesity medications can be given if a person suffers from binge-eating disorder and is obese. This medication is given only under medical supervision.
  • Behavioral weight loss programs may be conducted to lose weight, but only under medical supervision.

Self-help Programs: Some people can treat themselves by self-help books, videos, and support groups. These may not help you, but along with self-help strategies take professional treatment with medications and psychotherapy.

Lifestyle Changes
Binge-eating disorder cannot be treated on its own, but certain changes in the lifestyle can help you construct a treatment plan. Those changes include:

  • Stick to the treatment plan and don’t skip therapy sessions and if you have meal plans, do your best to stick to the plans.
  • Trying to diet can trigger this eating disorder, so avoid dieting.
  • Do not skip breakfast as this may make you less prone to eating higher calorie meals in the later part of your meals.
  • Keep less food in your home and do not stock up food as it takes away the temptation to eat more which results in binge-eating.
  • Talk to your doctor and take vitamins and mineral supplements.
  • Never try to isolate yourself from your family members and friends who want to see you healthy.
  • Be active by regularly exercising, especially if you are obese.

Prevention
There is no way to prevent this eating disorder, but if you observe a family member or a friend with severe dieting or over eating, dissatisfaction with his/her appearance and a low self esteem can talk to them about these issues to prevent further complications. You may not be able to prevent this eating disorder, but you can talk about the healthier behavioral patterns and avoid further worsening of the condition.

Home Remedies for Binge-eating Disorder
Some of the common home remedies include:

  • Eat different spices like chillies, Indian curries, hot and cayenne pepper and spicy salsas.
  • These spices boost the metabolism and gives satisfaction while eating.
  • Eat at least 2 to 3 meals per day as this will not make you starve.
  • Try eating foods that are low in fat to reduce guilt feelings as fatty foods can cause a feeling of heaviness and guilt after eating.
  • Listen to soft and relaxing music when eating.
  • Eat a mint, gargle with mouthwash or brush the teeth, when a snack attack occurs.
  • Herbal tea is an excellent remedy for soothing and calming the people with this type of eating disorder.
  • Try to meditate or do yoga to relax the muscles in the body.
  • Orange juice can be taken in a glass of warm water for every two hours from 8am to 8pm.
  • Take 2 to 3 cloves and boil it in one cup of water, then add  one teaspoon of lime juice. Drink this two times a day.
  • Juicy fruits like pear, apple, oranges, melons and pineapple can be taken every five hours.
  • Ginger paste along with a drop of salt and half spoon lime juice is taken two times a day for a week.
  • Try to drink chamomile tea before bedtime, as this relieves all the stress and strain.
  • Take good care of a patient with binge-eating disorder at home to recover.

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