Binge-Eating Disorder - Research Paper Example

Binge-Eating Disorder Introduction Binge eating disorder, commonly referred to as BED, comprises of a disorder of eating whereby an individual is on an eating spree but lacks successive episodes of purging. Binge eating disorder is a psychopathological problem since it involves binge eating but lacks purging. Albert Stunkard played a major role in the establishment of the disorder in his psychiatric works. Although binge eating is rife among the adults, the disorder has not attracted much media attention as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. The year 2013 was a major milestone in the categorization of Binge eating disorder, especially after the release of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) version 5. Much research has been done on Binge eating disorder, particularly concerning its causes, prevention, treatment, and ethical considerations surrounding the disorder. In this regard, this paper employs the existing etiologic theories of psychopathology to explore Binge eating disorder in terms of prevalence, ethical issues, prevention, and treatment. DSM According to Krueger and Markon (2006), it is possible to comprehend psychopathology through the combination of quantitative psychology, personality, and behavior genetics. Recent technologies have placed psychopathology at crossroads because of the conflict between the advances and the previous models. In this regard, it is important to select the most suitable model of psychopathology to analyze psychological disorders such as Binge eating disorder. DSM have been instrumental in the advancement of research in psychopathology. Particularly, DSM-5 criteria apply to Binge eating disorder. However, the major drawback of DSM is that it groups all elements of psychopathology as discrete elements. Nonetheless, DSM-5 criteria can be used to analyze binge eating disorder, especially when it comes to behavior-genetic, quantitative-psychological and personality research perspectives. Signs and symptoms of Binge eating disorder The DSM-5 criteria provide an effective classification of individuals’ eating behavior, especially in regards to binge eating disorder. The signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder (BED) include persistent binge eating episodes. Such episodes could include more frequent eating than normal people would do and ingesting large amounts of food in any given sitting. From a bio-psychosocial perspective, persons suffering from binge eating disorders may exhibit such behavior due to an inherent psychological problem that affects their whole body. In addition, persons suffering from binge eating disorder may eat even when they not feeling hungry or when they are undergoing depression. It means that they are trying to suppress some psychosocial problem by eating more rapidly and frequently even to the point of vomiting. Although binge eating may take place once a week, most of the persons are obese because the binge eating behavior may last for up to three months. Persons suffering from binge eating disorder exhibit notable distress associated with the disorder. It implies that persons of binge eating disorder (BED) may suffer from a myriad of other conditions associated with unhealthy eating habits. Unlike in bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder does not entail compensatory behavior that is improper. Perhaps it is worth noting that binge eating in itself is a primary symptom of binge eating disorder and the disorder may not necessarily be connected with adverse social, psychological, and physical impacts. DM-5 Criteria for binge eating disorder The criteria for the classification and diagnosis of mental disorders had been under constant revision because of the varying characteristics of both new and existing mental disorders. In this regard, DSM-5 underwent a final revision that led to the release of its fifth version. The release took place in May 15, 2013. Although DSM-5 is now complete and operational, it faces a number of criticisms much as it attracts admiration from various healthcare and psychological quarters. Hudson, Coit, Lalonde, and Pope (2012) questioned the percentage by which the new DSM-5 criteria would intensify the popularity of binge eating disorder. In essence, the DSM-5 relaxed the interval and rate of eating binges, which was likely to increase the prevalence of BED. I have particularly noticed people in my neighborhood who fall under the new DSM-5 criteria and they were nowhere near the statistics hitherto. However, the scholars noted that any changes applied to the duration and frequency of binge eating disorder will have little impact of the prevalence of the disorder, just as DSM-5 had. Agüera, Riesco, Jiménez-Murcia, Islam, Granero, Vicente, and Fernández-Aranda (2013), on the other hand, confirmed that purging and non-purging persons with binge eating disorder elicited various discrepancies when it came to drop out rate and response to cognitive behavior therapy. Fundamentally, the authors wanted to compare the results for both bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED). Owing to the close relationship between the criteria for diagnosing and classifying binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa (AN), the authors paved way for further research by exploring the topic. It is so considering that the research and its further publication took place at a time when the release of DSM-5 was imminent. Persons with binge eating disorder have higher dropout rate when they undergo cognitive behavior therapy when compared to those with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. It essentially means that purging and non-purging play an important role as far as the response to cognitive behavior therapy is concerned. People who have binge eating disorder require separate diagnosis based on their purging or non-purging conditions. Besides, people with BED who complete the treatment after undergoing diagnosis will show more positive results that those who do not (Agüera et al., 2013). Culture and human diversity issues that relate to binge eating Despite the psychosocial nature of binge eating disorder, it is worth noting that human diversity and background also govern the frequency and intensity of the disorder. Conversely, self-evaluation is a primary factor as far as the concerns of binge eating habits are concerned. Binge eating concerns may determine the value that people place on themselves, especially on their bodies. The concerned is specifically heightened for women with binge eating concerns since they have higher probability of developing obesity. Women who have binge eating concerns (BEC) do not normally receive the highest regard as far as personality, intelligence, and family issues are concerned. In addition, the overemphasis on shape and figure may mean additional costs for those with binge eating concerns because they will be more concerned with getting fit (Woodward & Treat, 2015). According to Schreiber-Gregory et al. (2013), the duration of binge-eating episodes differ between individuals and this discrepancy affects a host of other aspects in BED persons. For example, people who last long in their binge eating episodes have been proved to have lower self-esteem and greater sign of depression when compared to their counterparts with shorter BE episodes. In addition, the binge eating episodes take place during the weekdays, particularly in the afternoon and the eating disorder symptoms do not vary with the duration of the binge eating episodes. On the other hand, Ribeiro, Conceição, Vaz, & Machado (2014) found out that the prevalence of BED among college students range between 0.5% and 1.0%, depending on the quantity of food ingested in any given binge-eating episode. I have particularly witnessed some students within my institution who show signs of binge eating disorder although such students form a low percentage of the student populace. Zander and Young (2014) note that the weekly variability frequency varies perhaps because of individual differences in negative affect (NA). Bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) have a number of similarities and differences that ought to be brought out in order to enhance clarity, proper diagnosis, and treatment of the disorders. Perhaps the release of DSM-5 was a great mileage towards the exploration of BED as a clinical disorder besides widening the scope of psychopathology. Neuroticism and negative affect play instrumental roles in the frequency of fluctuations of binge eating episodes. According to Brownstone, Bardone-Cone, Fitzsimmons-Craft, Printz, Le Grange, Mitchell, and Joiner (2013), objective binge eating (OBE) and subjective binge eating (SBE) play a crucial role in regards to personality dimensions, negative affect, and disorder symptomatology. In regards to bulimia nervosa, both the OBE and SBE do not show great variance on negative affect or eating disorder pathology. However, the personality dimensions of the two groups vary a great deal. The variance in SBEs also affects a number of factors related to binge eating disorder such as weight and shape. Subjective binge eating (SBE) can come with certain compensatory behaviors, especially when related to bulimia nervosa, just as previous research as done. Perhaps one aspect worth noting is that not notable difference exists between bulimia nervosa and subjective bulimia nervosa. Nonetheless, low quality of life, depression, and impulsivity are the main aspects associated with SBN and BN (Watson, Fursland, Bulik, & Nathan, 2013). Relevant legal, cultural, and ethical issues in BED A number of ethical, legal, and cultural issues surround binge eating disorder in terms of its causes, treatment, prevention, and signs. For example, binge eating disorder and obesity are closely associated with the instinct to eat food. Anyone who has obesity will be assumed to possess the impulsivity towards food even if the person eats normally. Perhaps it is worth noting that food-related impulsivity is evident in obese people who have BED and those who do not have BED. Therefore, the society tends to associate obese people with impulsivity towards food and I have noticed this trend many times both in schools and at home. Fat people are generally deemed to possess binge eating disorder although this assumption may not necessarily be correct. It is possible for an obese person can have food-related impulsivity but not binge eating disorder (Schag, Schönleber, Teufel, Zipfel, & Giel, 2013). Witt and Lowe (2014) confirm that hedonic hunger may lead to overeating and eventually, obesity, especially to women who cannot control their eating. Perhaps women are more associated with hedonic hunger because most of them are prone to eating even if they are not hungry. I have particularly witnessed college girls who eat everything ranging from ice creams to chocolates just for the fantasy of it. Since such persons do not have energy deficits to recover, they may end up becoming obese if they continue with binge eating. It implies that hedonic processes are essential as far as binge eating is concerned. When it comes to racial inconsistencies in binge eating, it is worth noting that significant discrepancies exist, particularly in America. Unlike the non-Latino Whites, the Asian Americans have a higher probability of having binge eating habits. Nonetheless, both ethnic groups have equal chances of meeting the criteria for binge eating disorder (BED). When compared to the Asian Americans, the Whites would more likely approve the signs of BED, especially the symptoms that are associated with loss of control or distress. Perhaps the biggest controversy comes when one mentions the services associated with binge eating disorders. Whites are less likely to seek such intervention services despite the prevalence of BED in in the United States. Some of my friends at the university are Whites and they would endorse the indications of BED but none of the affected persons has dared to seek the services. Perhaps the discrepancy between the Asian Americans, whites, and non-Latinos emanate from their racial diversity (Lee-Winn, Mandelson, & Mojtabai, 2014). Emerging relevant technologies applicable to the field of psychology Following the release of the fifth edition of DSM in 2013, a number of technologies have emerged in the area of psychopathology, especially when it comes to the treatment and prevention of binge eating disorder (BED). One of the studies has delved into the placebo response by people affected by binge eating disorder. Higher placebo response and cessation rates are strongly related to the eating pathology that was less severe, particularly at the baseline. In this regard, future clinical interventions and experimentations may explore this technology, especially by pushing the severity threshold (Blom, Mingione, Guerdjikova, Keck, Welge, & McElroy, 2014). Balodis, et al. (2014) conducted a pilot study that is likely to revolutionize the treatment of binge eating disorder, especially after the release of DSM-5. The pilot study was a process meant to improve the treatment of binge eating disorder, especially when bingeing persists. The treatment technology, which took place during reward processing to unrelenting bingeing, involved the connection of reduced fronto-Striatal recruitment. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the body mass index (BMI) remains remain unaffected by the treatment process. Treatment and prevention of binge eating disorder The treatment of binge eating disorder may take various forms, depending on the severity of the disorder. Nonetheless, prevention is the best strategy given the negative physical and psychosocial concerns that come with binge eating disorder. In accordance with the DSM-5 criteria, binge eating disorder is classified as a clinical syndrome rather than a social problem. In this regard, the disorder requires adequate and careful treatment in order to relieve the victims of the distress that they undergo. It is also worth noting that people with binge eating disorders have higher levels of psychological stress than those of the normal people with obesity. Such BED affected persons also show a significantly poorer health than their obese counterparts do. In this regard, the clinicians ought to consider the primary psychopathology traits in their treatment strategies. Other treatment strategies such as pharmacological treatment and bariatric surgery are also recommended for BED treatment (Amianto, Ottone, Abbate Daga, & Fassino, 2015). Meany Conceição and Mitchell (2014) reveal that the BED and BE are prevalent among people who are severely obese and people who are candidates for bariatric surgery. However, bariatric surgery has been proven to improve many cases of eating disorders, especially BED that leads to overweight. The authors, however, established that bariatric surgery is associated with less control of eating habits that eventually affects the weights of the persons involved, especially on long-term basis. On the other hand, Vancampfort et al. (2014) note that the interventions can be more effective if the physical activities of persons with binge eating disorders are known. It is so because the correlates of physical activities in various persons affect their attitude and eating habits even if they have BED. I have particularly witnessed people who have binge eating disorder yet they maintain a strict workout regimen, which lessens their chances of developing depressions and weight related issues. ter Huurne, Postel, de Haan, and DeJong (2013) propose a web-based program for treating binge eating disorder (BED) among other psychosocial disorders. The use of intensive therapeutic support can be effective in treating female persons who have been diagnosed with binge eating disorder. Although the scholars conducted their randomized control trial in Netherlands, their results and recommendations cut across the board in the sense that they are applicable everywhere, including in the United States. Indeed, the use of intensive therapeutic support over an online platform can help solve the numerous cases of binge eating disorder that a significant percentage of Americans have, particularly in institutions of higher learning. In conclusion, several advancements have taken place towards the treatment of binge eating disorder. The disorder, mainly characterized by uncontrolled and frequent eating, may lead to dire consequences, especially weight related complications. However, the release of release of DSM-5 in May 2013 paved way for the classification and categorization of binge eating disorder (BED) as a clinical disorder that requires psychopathological treatment. Binge eating disorder (BED) is distinctive from other disorders since it lacks purging. In this regard, a number of ethical, legal, and cultural considerations have revolved around the disorder, especially in recent past. Technological innovations offer a promising future towards the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of binge eating disorder. References Krueger, R. F., &  Markon, K. E. (2006). Understanding Psychopathology Melding Behavior Genetics, Personality, and Quantitative Psychology to Develop an Empirically Based Model. Curriculum of Direct Psychological Science, 15(3): 113–117. Schreiber-Gregory, D. N., Lavender, J. M., Engel, S. G., Wonderlich, S. A., Crosby, R. D., Peterson, C. B., & ... Mitchell, J. E. (2013). Examining duration of binge eating episodes in binge eating disorder. International Journal Of Eating Disorders, 46(8), 810-814. doi:10.1002/eat.22164 Hudson, J. I., Coit, C. E., Lalonde, J. K., & Pope, H. G. (2012). 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J., Fursland, A., Bulik, C. M., & Nathan, P. (2013). Subjective binge eating with compensatory behaviors: A variant presentation of bulimia nervosa. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 46(2), 119-126. doi:10.1002/eat.22052 Balodis, I. M., Grilo, C. M., Kober, H., Worhunsky, P. D., White, M. A., Stevens, M. C., & ... Potenza, M. N. (2014). A pilot study linking reduced fronto-Striatal recruitment during reward processing to persistent bingeing following treatment for binge-eating disorder. International Journal Of Eating Disorders, 47(4), 376-384. doi:10.1002/eat.22204 Read More