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Anorexia's Sisters: Bulimia and BED, Part II

© Mark Stuart Ellison

This article explores some of the similarities and differences between the major eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder (BED). It should not be used for diagnosis or medical treatment. If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder, seek advice from a physician or other qualified health care practitioner.

BED

BED is bulimia minus purging or restricting. The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report that BED affects three women for every two men. According to AABA, purges are followed by intense feelings of guilt. AABA estimates that 40% of BED sufferers are obese. Thus, it is not surprising that those afflicted with BED will experience many of the same symptoms as obese people who do not have the disorder:

• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• gall bladder disease
• diabetes
• heart disease

Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. (ANRED) notes that many physicians define obesity as 20% above expected weight for age, height, and build. Morbid obesity is defined as at least 100 pounds over expected weight.

According to AmericanWholehealth, binge eating disorder occurs in 2% of the general population, more frequently in women than men. The organization estimates that 30% of all people in medically supervised weight reduction programs have BED.

Again, many of BED's symptoms are shared by anorexia and bulimia:

• depression
• low self-esteem
• body image problems
• obsessive dieting

ANRED notes that when people try to make the body thinner than it is genetically programmed to be, it overcompensates. While the anorexic walks around hungry, the bulimic or BED sufferer acts on that hunger and binges. According to ANRED, 98% of dieters regain all lost weight- plus 10 extra pounds- within five years. Thus the phenomenon of "yo-yo" dieting.

The National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) emphasizes that dieting is dangerous for everyone. According to NEDIC, "dieting is known to be one of the most powerful triggers for the development of an eating disorder."

According to the Eating Disorders Resource Centre , BED is also found in people with normal weight. Never skip breakfast, the Centre advises, because that may lead to bingeing later in the day. Sufferers may benefit from such distraction techniques as walking, hobbies, and talking on the phone, according to the Centre.

According to the The Eating Disorders Site, treatments for BED include:

• psychotherapy (longest-lasting effect)
• antidepressants Paxil, Zoloft, and Prozac
• appetite suppressants

BED sufferers may find the following newgroups helpful:

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