Recent research shows that binge eating disorders occur in about 30 percent of people participating in medically supervised weight control programs. Behavioral Signs Bingeing Restriction of activities because of embarrassment about weight Going from one diet to the next Eating little in public while maintaining a high weight Physiological Signs Weight-related hypertension Fatigue Weight gain Attitude Shifts Feelings about self based on weight and control of eating. Fantasizing about being a better person when thin. Feeling tormented by eating habits. Social and professional failures attributed to weight.
Weight is the focus of life.
Because binge eating disorder has only recently been identified, no standard treatment programs have been developed for it. Most people who have the disorder accept this situation because they are more concerned about their obesity than their bingeing. Although those treatments are reasonably effective in controlling binge eating, psychotherapy appears to have the longer-lasting effects.