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Binge Eating and American Psychiatric Association

            Can you imagine engulfing thousands of calories in one sitting while feeling overwhelmed by not being able to stop? Sadly, this is common amongst Americans. There are many causes and effects for binge eating but there are recovery processes. To begin with, there really is no set definition for binge eating. Matter of fact, researchers were studying this disorder for over ten years before the American Psychiatric Association considered it an illness ("Binge Eating Can Have "). They didn't consider binge eating an illness because they couldn't measure the disorder. However, a study in 2007 showed that this eating disorder is more prevalent than anorexia or bulimia nervosa (Bulik 9). This study is remarkably shocking. Generally, the public hears more about anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The media shines the spotlight on these two disorders through online blogs, magazines, and reality shows. On the other hand, it is commonly known that binge eating is the indulgence of oversized meals to the point that the individual cannot stop his or herself from eating (Bulik 3). It is difficult to wrap one's mind around this situation. How can someone possibly continue to devour food to the point that they are overly satiated? Usually it takes less than 30 minutes to complete a meal. It's even common to snack throughout the day to keep one's metabolism going. But, binge eating is taking this to an entirely new level. During an episode, binge eating usually lasts around two hours but some may binge throughout the day (Segal and Smith). This disorder is classified under the EDNOS category which stands for "eating disorders not otherwise specified " (Bulik 11). Researchers have not yet put binge eating in its own category like anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Probably because there is not a solid classification of this disorder. Binge eating is still being debated in the eating disorder treatment community ("Binge Eating Symptoms ").


Essays Related to Binge Eating and American Psychiatric Association

1. Eating Disorders

... was once thought to be a manifestation of Anorexia Nervosa. There is a close relationship between Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. Some of the personality characteristics of typical anorectics and bulimics seem to be similar. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association formally recognized Bulimia in its third edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Hall, 1986). Why do people become bulimic? Bulimics are generally considered to ... for the past twenty years, centerfolds and beauty contestants have continually gotten thinner; although no one wants to tell ...

  • Word Count: 6663
  • Approx Pages: 27
  • Has Bibliography

2. eating disorders

... Tenore 367). There are two main eating disorders, anorexia Moegling 2 nervosa and bulimia nervosa. And while they share certain similarities, they vary in their causes, incidence, and age of onset (Worsnop 2). Anorexia Nervosa is defined as a psychiatric disorder in which a person's distorted ... . Fourth is the loss of menstrual periods in girls and women post-puberty. And last is the extreme concern with body weight and shape (Ogilvy). Bulimia Nervosa is defined as a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. This is where a person will ... be related to eating disorders. Afr...

  • Word Count: 2623
  • Approx Pages: 10
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

3. Anorexia And Bulimia

... begins as a result of a diet to overcome obesity or to make himself more attractive to others." (P.43 Anorexia) Eating Disorders are psychiatric illnesses that effect over two million men and women usually between the ages of 15 and 35. This figure might not be high, until we realize that thousands of people will die from the physical problems caused ... themselves, Bulimics binge on food and then purge by self-induced vomiting." (P. 70 Medical Advisor.) Eating Disorders are not just the extremes of Anorexia and Bulimia. Dangerous eating and dieting practices like the use of diet pills,...

  • Word Count: 1210
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

4. starving for perfection

... and may even be overweight (AABA Bulimia 1). Doctors must perform complete physical exams to rule out other disease as the first step in determining if a person has bulimia (?Bulimia Nervosa? 2). Additionally they must be able to recognize the obvious symptoms: According to the American Psychological Association, a diagnosis of bulimia requires that a person have all of the following symptoms: Recurrent episodes of binge eating ... their normal body weight, show signs of severe depression or risk of suicide, and suffer from severe binging and purging. Anorexics who are not severely under...

  • Word Count: 1888
  • Approx Pages: 8
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

5. Borderline Disorder

... in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., sending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating) Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days Chronic feelings of emptiness Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling ... anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights And transient, stress- related p...

  • Word Count: 3441
  • Approx Pages: 14
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: High School

6. An Overview of Bulimia Nervosa

... guidelines provided for by the American Psychological Association, that to receive the diagnosis, bulimia nervosa, the individual must binge eat and purge "on average at least twice a week for three months" (p. 2). Using the preceding bases, people with bulimia nervosa display compulsive eating followed by the compulsory purging with regular frequency and over an extended period of time. While excessive and uncontrollable eating and vomiting is the distinctive ... bulimic person becomes more disapproving and hateful of his or her physical appearance with the recognition that his or her ...

  • Word Count: 1781
  • Approx Pages: 7
  • Has Bibliography
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

7. Anorexia

... of others. Sometimes fasting is interspersed with periodic binging and purging (see Bulimia), particularly when trying to regain normal eating habits. About half of all anorexics become bulimic at some point. There is a strong association between eating disorders and depression. Anorexics tend to come from families that have high standards of achievement, and they are often perfectionists, compulsive in many aspects ... others. Usually the condition occurs during early adolescence to young adulthood, although it may strike later. Some 90 percent of sufferers are female; about 1 percent o...

  • Word Count: 1425
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

8. Anorexia

... of others. Sometimes fasting is interspersed with periodic binging and purging (see Bulimia), particularly when trying to regain normal eating habits. About half of all anorexics become bulimic at some point. There is a strong association between eating disorders and depression. Anorexics tend to come from families that have high standards of achievement, and they are often perfectionists, compulsive in many aspects ... others. Usually the condition occurs during early adolescence to young adulthood, although it may strike later. Some 90 percent of sufferers are female; about 1 percent o...

  • Word Count: 1512
  • Approx Pages: 6
  • Grade Level: Undergraduate

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