The DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition) defines binge eating disorder as recurring episodes of binge eating behaviors. The characteristics of this disorder include eating large quantities of food within any two hour period throughout the day or night. An individual with compulsive eating behaviors begins to eat; he/she often feels that it is impossible to stop eating. Episodes of binge eating can occur daily, several times a day. An individual with compulsive eating disorder often feels disgusted with his/her own eating behavior, but feels powerless to stop it. See the DSM IV diagnostic criteria here: Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center.
Diagnosing binge eating disorder
Physical examination and tests – To diagnose an individual with a binge eating disorder, the doctor will need to do a thorough physical examination. Besides the physical exam, the doctor will order blood and urine tests. These tests are to rule out or to confirm the presence of a physical condition which is causing the binge eating behavior. The doctor may also ask that the individual be evaluated by a psychiatrist or psychologist to rule out or confirm any underlying psychological causes for his/her compulsive eating behaviors.
Psychiatric evaluation – During a psychiatric evaluation, the mental health professional will compare your symptoms and complaints with the diagnostic criteria listed in the DSM IV. The psychiatrist will likely ask you to describe how much and how often you eat. You may be asked what triggers your eating behavior to be out of your control. Once a definitive mental health diagnosis is confirmed or denied, a report will be sent to your attending physician.
The health/mental health practitioner asks questions about how often you binge to get a mental picture of your eating behavior patterns. If you eat out of control two or more times a week, you could have this disorder. If you only have binge eating behaviors at certain times of the month or year, there could be something entirely different going on with you other than a binge eating disorder.
You may find it rather embarrassing or invasive to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, but it is important for the mental health practitioner to get a clear picture of your situation. For instance, if have binge eating behaviors followed by self-induced vomiting, swallowing laxatives, or intense exercise, your diagnosis wouldn’t be binge eating disorder, but more likely to be another eating disorder called bulimia nervosa.
Conclusion
Obviously we have to eat to live; however, if you feel that you have a compulsion to overeat, you could have a binge eating disorder, which is also known as compulsive eating disorder. If you think you might have this disorder, it is important to see your health care or mental health care provider as soon as possible to be evaluated and diagnosed. Thus, if you have already been diagnosed with a compulsive eating disorder, it is important to be seen by your doctor, psychiatrist, mental health counselor, or nurse practitioner. If your health care professional believes it is necessary, he/she may also send you to a nutritionist to help guide you in healthy eating practices.
