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Binge eating

• Overview
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Eating - binge

Home Care:

Take measures to reduce stress and improve overall health.

Medication is usually not necessary for this disorder. However, antidepressants, as prescribed by the doctor, are often helpful. Supportive care and counseling are recommended. Individual, group, family, and behavioral therapy may provide some help.

Call your health care provider if:

• bulimia is suspected

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. A history of the eating patterns may be sought from one or more family members because the affected person may not acknowledge that they are binge eating.

Medical history questions documenting binge eating in detail may include:

• How long has this been occurring?
• Are "purge" behaviors (such as self-induced vomiting or laxative abuse) also present?
• What other symptoms are also present?

Possible diagnostic tests include blood studies, such as electrolyte levels.

INTERVENTION

Behavior is usually controlled with counseling, biofeedback training (a process of monitoring body functions and altering these functions through relaxation), and individual or group psychotherapy.

• Review Date: 5/12/2006
• Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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