Binge eating is often a result of emotional turbulence

A group of psychiatric experts are recommending that the eating disorder binge eating should be listed and categorized as a proper medically regognized psychiatric disorder. Speaking at the recent meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), Dr. B. Timothy Walsh explained that binge eating had all the characteristics of a mental illness and should be registered however he also said that obesity should not be listed.

Dr. B. Timothy Walsh who is the chairman of the work group who have been given the task of revising the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) said that obesity is defined as a “physiological, anatomical abnormality of excess body fat” and is not therefore a mental condition whereas the process of binge eating has all the symptoms of mental instability.

At present anorexia and bulimia are both categorized as mental disorders and this is important for the way they are treated and also to decide whether medical insurance plans should cover them. If binge eating is categorized as a mental illness people will be able to claim insurance for treatments to cure it.

Binge eating is defined as the process of eating large amounts very quickly, eating until you are uncomfortable, eating when you are not hungry, sneaking away to eat large amounts alone and then feeling guilty and depressed afterwards.

Binge eating is often a result of emotional turbulence such as the breakdown in relationships and stressful times at work or home. Binge eating has also been observed when individuals are suffering from ‘beer blues’ after coming down from drinking and drug binges.

Many people who go on eating binges say they do so to in an attempt to feel good but most recognize that immediately afterwards they do not and that any feeling of comfort and satisfaction is very short lived.