Episodic binge-eating is the most common eating disorder in the world – yet fewer than half of the people who struggle with it get a diagnosis or treatment.
Dr Hannah Kennedy is currently researching Binge Eating Disorder (or BED) for the world's largest study on the genetics of eating disorders.
She says although the condition affects more people than anorexia and bulimia combined, it has remained "hidden" because of the cultural stigma around overeating.
Photo:
Dr Hannah Kennedy, a post-doctoral fellow with the Department of Psychological Medicine at University of Otago in Christchurch Photo: University of Otago in Christchurch
Binge eating disorder – which was officially recognised as a medical condition only nine years ago – is different from "an occasional bout of overeating", Dr Kennedy tells Jesse Mulligan.
It involves recurring episodes in which a person experiences a loss of control around food and eats large amounts in a short timeframe.
Unlike bulimia nervosa, sufferers do not purge or exercise after an episode of overeating however they may fast sporadically or appear to be 'yo-yo dieting'
Binge-eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
- Eating much more rapidly than normal;
- Eating until feeling uncomfortably full;
- Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry;
- Eating alone due to embarrassment by how much one is eating; and
- Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating.
Feelings of self-disgust and depression often follow a binge-eating episode, Dr Kennedy says.
"There's a lot of guilt and shame that's wrapped up in binge eating. After a bingeing episode, those feelings can be really extreme for people."
"A big problem [with binge eating disorder] is that people will present to the GP but not admit to the behaviours that have led to health complications they've arrived for.
"So often we hear that the treatment that people are being offered is weight loss, which totally disregards there is an eating disorder triggering these behaviours."
Binge eating disorder can be harder to pick up on than other eating disorders because sufferers are not always overweight and the behaviour usually happens in secret, she says.
To discover the factors that make people susceptible to this condition, The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative is researching genetic and environmental components as well as life experiences.
They're aiming to recruit more than 3,500 New Zealanders who've been diagnosed with an eating disorder but have struggled to find enough study participants with binge eating disorder.
Dr Kennedy wants to know more about what stops people who struggle with binge eating from coming forward for treatment or research.
"Without representation in treatment groups or in research, it really hampers the advancement of outcomes for people living with binge eating disorder," she says.
Online resource - Binge Eating Disorder - National Eating Disorders Association (USA)
Where to get help:
If you think you might have an eating disorder, the first step is to tell your GP, Dr Kennedy says - even if that's difficult.
The Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand (EDANZ) has a website and a helpline - 0800 2 EDANZ / 0800 2 33269.
Need to Talk?
Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email talk@youthline.co.nz
What's Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
