Binge Eating Disorder: Recovery Begins With Compassion | Stanford

Summary

Dr. Rachel Goldstein, an adolescent medicine specialist at Stanford University, addresses binge eating disorder (BED), emphasizing it's a treatable medical condition, not a character flaw. She explains BED's prevalence and symptoms, including loss of control over eating. Dr. Goldstein encourages seeking help, dispelling fears of judgment, and highlights the importance of compassionate self-acknowledgment. The video outlines the diagnostic process, including physical checks and discussions about eating habits and mental health, leading to a personalized treatment plan focused on psychotherapy to foster a healthier relationship with food and the body.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ Binge eating disorder is a serious medical condition, not a lifestyle choice.
• 🧬 It is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors.
• 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Rachel Goldstein is an adolescent medicine doctor specializing in treating teens and young adults with eating disorders.
• 📈 Binge eating disorder is more common than anorexia or bulimia.
• 🔄 Unlike anorexia or bulimia, binge eating disorder does not involve behaviors to limit weight gain such as purging or excessive exercise.
• 🚫 People with binge eating disorder feel a loss of control over their eating during binge episodes.
• 💔 Feelings of guilt and shame often accompany binge eating, but it's important to remember it's not the individual's fault.
• 🗣️ Open communication with trusted adults is crucial for seeking help and support.
• 🩺 A physician specializing in eating disorders will conduct a comprehensive evaluation, including physical checks and blood work.
• 🧠 Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for binge eating disorder, focusing on developing a healthier relationship with food and one's body.
• 🌟 Recovery is possible, with psychotherapy showing a consistent success rate in helping individuals overcome binge eating disorder.

Q & A

What is binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder is a serious medical condition characterized by episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period, often accompanied by a feeling of loss of control over eating, and can be associated with many psychiatric disorders.

How is binge eating disorder different from anorexia or bulimia?

Unlike anorexia or bulimia, binge eating disorder does not involve behaviors to limit weight gain such as purging or excessive exercise. However, similar to anorexia and bulimia, it is a disease where individuals may feel they've lost control over their eating.

What are some common behaviors during a binge eating episode?

During binge episodes, people may continue eating despite feeling uncomfortably full, eat large amounts of food even when not hungry, or eat more quickly than normal.

Why might individuals with binge eating disorder feel guilty or eat in secret?

Individuals with binge eating disorder might feel guilty or eat in secret because they cannot control their eating and may fear judgment or shame from others.

What is the first step in treating binge eating disorder according to Dr. Rachel Goldstein?

The first step in treating binge eating disorder is acknowledging that you're struggling with your eating and deserve to get well.

Why is it important to have open conversations about binge eating disorder?

Open conversations about binge eating disorder are important because they can lead to understanding, compassion, and support, which are crucial for seeking help and treatment.

What kind of professional should one see for binge eating disorder treatment?

One should ideally meet with a trained physician in eating disorders, such as an adolescent medicine doctor or a specialist in the field, for treatment.

What are some typical assessments done during an initial appointment for binge eating disorder?

During an initial appointment, a physician may check the patient's height and weight, order basic blood work to rule out other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, and have in-depth discussions about eating habits and binging episodes.

What is the primary goal of treatment for binge eating disorder?

The primary goal of treatment for binge eating disorder is to reduce binge eating episodes and address any other contributing problems such as anxiety or depression.

What is the primary treatment method for binge eating disorder?

The primary treatment for binge eating disorder is psychotherapy, which involves working with a trained mental health provider to develop a healthier relationship with one's body and food.

What is the significance of finding the right therapist for binge eating disorder treatment?

Finding the right therapist is significant because the therapeutic relationship is a working relationship that may involve trial and error, and it's important to find what works best for the individual's unique needs and circumstances.

Outlines

00:00

🍽️ Understanding Binge Eating Disorder

Dr. Rachel Goldstein, an adolescent medicine doctor at Stanford University, introduces binge eating disorder as a serious medical condition influenced by genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors. She emphasizes that it is more common than anorexia or bulimia and, unlike these conditions, does not involve behaviors to limit weight gain. The video aims to discuss binge eating disorder, its symptoms such as loss of control over eating and feelings of guilt, and the importance of seeking help without fear of judgment. Dr. Goldstein encourages open communication with trusted adults and highlights the significance of acknowledging the struggle as the first step towards recovery.

Keywords

💡Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period, often accompanied by a sense of loss of control. In the video, Dr. Rachel Goldstein explains that BED is a serious medical condition that is more common than anorexia or bulimia and is associated with feelings of guilt and shame. The script emphasizes that BED is not the individual's fault and requires treatment.

💡Genetic Environmental and Psychosocial Factors

These factors refer to the complex interplay of genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and psychological and social elements that contribute to the development of conditions like Binge Eating Disorder. The video script mentions that BED is caused by a combination of these factors, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the disorder.

💡Adolescent Medicine

Adolescent medicine is a medical specialty focused on the physical, emotional, and social health of teenagers and young adults. Dr. Rachel Goldstein, who is introduced as an adolescent medicine doctor, specializes in this field, emphasizing the video's focus on the age group particularly vulnerable to eating disorders.

💡Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical and emotional health. The video discusses binge eating disorder in the context of other eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia, noting the differences in behaviors and symptoms.

💡Psychiatric Disorders

Psychiatric disorders are mental health conditions that affect a person's mood, thinking, and behavior. The script mentions that binge eating disorder can be associated with many psychiatric disorders, indicating the complexity of the condition and the importance of a comprehensive approach to treatment.

💡Purging

Purging refers to the act of self-induced vomiting or the misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to counteract the effects of binge eating. The video contrasts binge eating disorder with anorexia and bulimia, noting that BED does not typically involve purging behaviors.

💡Excessive Exercise

Excessive exercise is a behavior where individuals engage in physical activity to an extreme degree, often as a means to control weight. The script points out that unlike anorexia or bulimia, binge eating disorder does not involve behaviors to limit weight gain such as excessive exercise.

💡Compassion

Compassion is the feeling of empathy and understanding towards others' suffering. In the video, Dr. Goldstein encourages individuals struggling with eating disorders to seek help and assures them that they will likely be met with compassion rather than judgment.

💡Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also known as therapy, is a treatment method that aims to help individuals with mental health issues by exploring and discussing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The video emphasizes psychotherapy as the primary treatment for binge eating disorder, with the goal of developing a healthier relationship with food and the body.

💡Recovery Rate

The recovery rate refers to the percentage of individuals who achieve remission or significant improvement in their symptoms following treatment. The script cites a recovery rate of over 50% for binge eating disorder with psychotherapy, indicating the effectiveness of this treatment approach.

Highlights

Binge eating disorder is a serious medical condition caused by complex factors.

Dr. Rachel Goldstein specializes in treating teens and young adults with eating disorders.

Binge eating disorder is more common than anorexia or bulimia.

Binge eating disorder is associated with many psychiatric disorders.

Binge eating disorder doesn't involve behaviors to limit weight gain like purging or excessive exercise.

People with binge eating disorder may feel like they've lost control over their eating.

Binge eating disorder can involve eating large amounts of food even when not hungry.

Feeling guilty or eating in secret is a sign of binge eating disorder.

Binge eating disorder is a mental health condition that needs treatment.

Acknowledging the struggle with eating is the first step in treatment.

Youth may fear judgment or shame if they reveal their eating disorder struggles.

It's important to have difficult conversations about eating disorders with trusted adults.

If conversations with parents don't go well, seek help from another trusted adult.

An appointment with a trained physician in eating disorders is the next step after seeking help.

Basic blood work may be ordered to check for related health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

The primary goal of the appointment is to understand the patient's eating habits and binging episodes.

Treatment plans aim to reduce binge eating episodes and address contributing problems like anxiety or depression.

Psychotherapy is the primary treatment for binge eating disorder.

Therapy helps develop a healthier relationship with the body and food.

Psychotherapy has been shown to have over a 50% recovery rate for binge eating disorder.

Being compassionate to oneself is the first step in seeking help for binge eating disorder.

Transcripts

you don't need to eat in secret anymore

i know you feel guilty but it's not your

fault

binge eating disorder is a serious

medical condition caused by complex

genetic environmental and psychosocial

factors my name is dr rachel goldstein

and i'm an adolescent medicine doctor at

stanford university

i specialize in taking care of teens and

young adults

i've treated many patients who've

struggled with eating disorders in this

video i'll be discussing binge eating

disorder and what to do if you think you

might be suffering from this condition

binge eating disorder is actually more

common than anorexia or bulimia and can

be associated with many psychiatric

disorders

unlike anorexia or bulimia though binge

eating disorder doesn't involve the

behaviors to limit weight gain like

purging or excessive exercise but like

anorexia and bulimia binge eating

disorder is a disease where people may

feel like they've lost control over

their eating

during these binge episodes people may

continue eating despite feeling

uncomfortably full eat large amounts of

food even when they're not hungry or eat

more quickly than normal

if you've found yourself feeling guilty

or eating in secret because you can't

control your eating

i want to tell you that it's not your

fault binge eating disorder is a mental

health condition that needs treatment

but the first step in treatment is

acknowledging that you're struggling

with your eating and deserve to get well

a major barrier i hear from parents and

patients alike is that youth feel like

they'll be judged or shamed by their

parents or close friends if they reveal

what they've been going through

these can be really difficult

conversations to have but i've found

that time and again if you describe how

you're feeling how you can't control it

how you want it to stop chances are

you'll be met with compassion and not

judgment now that doesn't mean that some

conversations don't go as planned

in those situations it can be helpful to

talk to another trusted adult like a

teacher coach or neighbor because the

goal is to get help

now you've confided in a trusted adult

and you've scheduled an appointment

you're probably wondering what's going

to happen at this appointment ideally

you'll be meeting with someone like me

a trained physician in eating disorders

if you're having trouble finding

appropriate providers in your area see

the description of the video below for

more resources

for example during a visit with me in

clinic we'll check your height and

weight and may order some basic blood

work like cholesterol or glucose to make

sure there isn't anything else we can

treat like diabetes high blood pressure

or high cholesterol

but mostly we'll talk

i want to know about your eating habits

and binging episodes how often do they

happen when do they happen what do you

feel like before and after the episodes

are there any triggers i'll also want to

know about your mood

have you been feeling sad or anxious

really i want to get to know you as best

as i can so we can come up with a

treatment plan that meets your needs

based on our discussion we'll come up

with a treatment plan

while there are many options for

treatment the goals of each are the same

we want to reduce binge eating episodes

and address any other problems that may

be contributing to binge eating like

anxiety or depression

the primary treatment for binge eating

disorder is psychotherapy unfortunately

there's still a real stigma around

therapy for eating disorders folks often

have lots of preconceived ideas and

misconceptions about what therapy is

ultimately it's about working with a

trained mental health provider to

develop a healthier relationship with

your body and with food the relationship

with a therapist is a working

relationship and can sometimes involve

trial and error and that's okay

ultimately you need to find out what

works for you and what works for one

person may not work for someone else

what we know is that psychotherapy has

been shown consistently in studies to be

our best treatment for binge eating

disorder with over 50 recovery rate

i know it seems like a long road to get

help but right now know that it's not

your fault the first step in this

journey is being compassionate to

yourself and knowing that you're worth

the effort

[Music]

you