Binge Eating/Compulsive Eating Disorder
Psychiatric Times indicates that this disorder is more common than anorexia and bulimia combined, according to a national survey.
In DSM- IV this disorder was being reviewed and was indicated to require more research and study to determine if it would be appropriate for admission into the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders).
Most physicians, however, aren't aware of the problem, says James Hudson, MD, director of the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Program at McLean Hospital and a professor of psychiatry at Harvard.
"Doctors have a reasonable degree of awareness about anorexia and bulimia, but they're not tuned into binge eating. It's just not as well known," says Hudson, lead author of "The Prevalence and Correlates of Eating Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication". The study, published Feb. 1 in Biological Psychiatry, found that 2.8 percent of the general population has binge-eating disorder -- more than bulimia (1 percent prevalence) and anorexia (0.6 percent) combined.
Treatment for this disorder experts recommend a comprehensive eating disorders program. The programs take a multidisciplinary approach that typically includes nutrition counseling; a behavioral weight control plan with healthy meals spaced throughout the day; medication in some cases; and a strong foundation in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) -- considered the gold standard for treating the disorder.
Due to this disorder not being an official diagnosis many insurances will not pay for treatment. Self help programs include reading books with CBT focus and drug treatment with SSRI, appetite suppressants and mood stabilizers. See Psychiatric Times for more information.
In DSM- IV this disorder was being reviewed and was indicated to require more research and study to determine if it would be appropriate for admission into the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders).
Most physicians, however, aren't aware of the problem, says James Hudson, MD, director of the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Program at McLean Hospital and a professor of psychiatry at Harvard.
"Doctors have a reasonable degree of awareness about anorexia and bulimia, but they're not tuned into binge eating. It's just not as well known," says Hudson, lead author of "The Prevalence and Correlates of Eating Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication". The study, published Feb. 1 in Biological Psychiatry, found that 2.8 percent of the general population has binge-eating disorder -- more than bulimia (1 percent prevalence) and anorexia (0.6 percent) combined.
Treatment for this disorder experts recommend a comprehensive eating disorders program. The programs take a multidisciplinary approach that typically includes nutrition counseling; a behavioral weight control plan with healthy meals spaced throughout the day; medication in some cases; and a strong foundation in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) -- considered the gold standard for treating the disorder.
Due to this disorder not being an official diagnosis many insurances will not pay for treatment. Self help programs include reading books with CBT focus and drug treatment with SSRI, appetite suppressants and mood stabilizers. See Psychiatric Times for more information.
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