Diagnosis of binge eating disorder

This has been defined by the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR).

However, the DSM has suggested some criteria for diagnosing binge eating disorder, more research does however need to be facilitated in order to completely define binge eating disorder as one in its own right as much as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa.

Following are the Suggested diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder DSM- derived from DSM-IV-TR;

A). Recurring episodes of binge eating. Two characteristics of a binge episode are:

Eating a much larger amount of food than most people would consider normal and within a small time frame (eating may continue for several hours).While eating, there is a sense of loss of control over the amount of food or type of food being consumed.

B). Binge eating episodes are related to at least three of the following:

Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.Eating large quantities of food even when not hungry.Eating faster than is considered normal (often in a frenzied manner).Eating alone due to embarrassment of gross consumption.Feelings of disgust, depression, or guilt after a binge.

C). There is obvious distress concerning binge eating behaviour.

D). Binge eating takes place at least twice weekly, for a minimum of 6 months.

E). There are no efforts made to compensate for binge eating such as; purging excessive exercise or laxative abuse. The disorder occurs at times other than during episodes of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.

Binge eating disorder diagnosis takes into account the frequency and duration of binge eating episodes along with the individual's feelings and attitudes towards their binging.

A medical doctor will refer to a list of symptoms to help them decide if the individual is indeed suffering from binge eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder has only recently been recognised in comparison with anorexia and bulimia. Technically binge eating currently falls under category for Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS).