Severity of Binge Eating Disorder Linked to Childhood Trauma

The study, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, found that binge eating disorder was more severe in those people with histories of childhood sexual or emotional abuse. The self-criticism often experienced by people who have histories of abuse can lead to greater body dissatisfaction and symptoms of depression, which are both characteristic of binge eating disorder.

“Childhood sexual abuse or emotional abuse were associated with greater body dissatisfaction in [binge eating disorder patients], whereas physical abuse or physical or emotional neglect were not,” said David Dunkley, a psychiatric researcher and clinical psychologist at Jewish General Hospital. 

About 2 percent of adults in North American have binge eating disorder, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Women are twice as likely as men to develop binge eating disorder.

“I definitely suggest that therapists focus on self-criticism in cases of suspected childhood maltreatment in [binge eating disorder patients],” Dunkley said. “We did look at alternative theories, like childhood emotional abuse leading to depression which leads to body dissatisfaction and self-criticism. But it doesn’t seem to work that way. Self-criticism is the mediator. Without it, it doesn’t seem to progress to greater body dissatisfaction in [binge eating disorder].”

Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder is characterized by excessive uncontrollable overeating followed by feelings of disgust, depression and guilt. The symptoms of binge eating disorder include the following:
•    Eating even when you are full
•    Feeling out of control when it comes to eating
•    Eating large amounts of food, even when you are not hungry
•    Eating quickly during binge episodes
•    Depression and anxiety
•    Eating alone
•    Frequent dieting

People with binge eating disorder may not even know they have it because the signs and symptoms of the eating disorder are not always obvious. People with binge eating disorder may be overweight or obese, or of a normal weight.

Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

Binge eating disorder will not go away on its own, but it is possible to end the disordered eating behavior through the right kind of eating disorder treatment.
An eating disorder therapist at an eating disorder treatment center like The Victorian can help you to stop your disordered eating and learn to have a healthy relationship with food. If you did experience childhood sexual or emotional abuse, a therapist can also help you to address any issues associated with your abuse. 

At a residential treatment center for eating disorders, you can work through both your binge eating disorder and any childhood trauma in a supportive and nurturing environment. At a residential treatment center for eating disorders, you will be able to focus on both your binge eating disorder and trauma, as well as any co-occurring depression or anxiety, so that you can make a full recovery from your eating disorder.