white eagle

Helping those in need

WHAT IS WHITE EAGLE?

White Eagle is an organisation that aims to help those who suffer from Binge-Eating Disorder. Our website includes information on the illness, such as what BED is, causes, symptoms, effects, where to find treatment, etc. Our goal is to assist those in need, and to spread awareness, so that if you ever meet someone who suffers from this disorder, you will know what to do!

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BINGE-EATING DISORDER

Binge-Eating Disorder is a serious mental illness characterised by regular episodes of binge eating.

Unlike with bulimia, a person with binge-eating disorder will not use compensatory behaviours, such as self-induced vomiting or over-exercising after binge eating.

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CAUSES AND TRIGGERS

The exact causes of binge-eating disorder are unknown, but genetics, biological factors, long-term dieting and psychological issues increase your risk.
- Biological factors include hormonal irregularities, genetic mutations, and it may be associated with compulsive eating and food addiction.
- Psychological issues: this disorder is strongly associated with depression. Body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and difficulty coping with feelings can also contribute to binge eating disorder.
- Social and cultural factors: Traumatic situations, such as a history of abuse, can increase the risk of binge eating. Social pressures to be thin, which are typically influenced through media, can trigger emotional eating. People who are subject to critical comments about their bodies or weight may be especially vulnerable to binge eating disorder.

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SYMPTOMS

A lot of people with binge-eating disorder are overweight or obese, but people who are at a healthy weight may also have binge-eating disorder. Behavioural and emotional signs and symptoms of binge-eating disorder include:
- Eating unusually large amounts of food in a short time period.
- Feeling that your eating behaviour is out of control
- Eating even when you're full or not necessarily hungry
- Eating rapidly during binge episodes
- Eating until you're uncomfortably full
- Frequently eating alone or in secret
- Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty or upset about your eating
- Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss

Unlike a person with bulimia, after a binge, you don't regularly compensate for extra calories eaten by vomiting, using laxatives or exercising excessively. You may try to diet or eat normal meals. But restricting your diet may simply lead to more binge eating. The severity of the binge-eating disorder is determined by how often episodes of bingeing occur during a week.

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STATISTICS

Many people with binge eating disorder are overweight or obese, and large population studies indicate that similar numbers of males and females experience binge eating disorder.
Data was obtained from a randomly selected sample of 4,200 individuals aged over 15 in South Australia The results displayed that 96 people or 3.2% of respondents had regular current episodes of binge eating and 30 or 1% had binge eating disorder. Binge eating and dieting were most common in people who were in their early to mid-thirties. The only behaviour significantly associated with (increased) weight was binge eating.

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EFFECTS ON THE INDIVIDUAL

The individual may have feelings of guilt and shame about the amount of food consumed during a binge episode and the way it has been eaten. Binge eating often occurs at times of stress, anger, boredom or distress. They may binge eat at these times to cope with challenging emotions.
There are many risks, consequences and complications of BED. They can be physical, social and emotional.
Osteoarthritis, a painful form of degenerative arthritis, leads to a person’s joints degrading in quality and can lead to loss of cartilage.Chronic kidney problems or kidney failure.High blood pressure/hypertension and/or high cholesterol, causing increased risk of stroke, diabetes and heart disease.ObesityCardiovascular diseaseType 2 diabetesInsomnia or sleep apneaGallbladder diseaseDepression and/or anxiety

EFFECTS ON THE COMMUNITY

If you have a loved one suffering with an eating disorder, you have likely experienced feelings of helplessness as you try to reach out or preserve the relationship that once was. Encouraging the person you love to refrain from bingeing and purging might seem like the right thing to do, but in reality, this can further drive a sufferer away. Many eating disorder behaviours are done in secrecy, and the disease is perpetuated in isolation. It is not uncommon for people who suffer from eating disorders to begin avoiding social functions, and ultimately, relationships and loved ones, as they become more deeply embedded in the illness. Eating disorders become all-consuming, engulfing the individual struggling in negative thoughts and behaviours that harshly severe the most nourishing of relationships.

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TREATMENT

Professional support and treatment from health professionals specialising in the treatment of binge-eating disorders, including psychiatrists, nutritionists, and therapists, can be the most effective way to address BED. Such a treatment program would address the underlying issues associated with destructive eating habits, focusing on the central cause of the problem.
Psychotherapy: Whether in individual or group sessions, psychotherapy can help teach you how to exchange unhealthy habits for healthy ones and reduce bingeing episodes. Examples of psychotherapy include:~ Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT may help you cope better with issues that can trigger binge-eating episodes, such as negative feelings about your body or a depressed mood. It may also give you a better sense of control over your behavior and help you regulate eating patterns.
~ Interpersonal psychotherapy. This type of therapy focuses on your relationships with other people. The goal is to improve your interpersonal skills — how you relate to others, including family, friends and co-workers. This may help reduce binge-eating that's triggered by problematic relationships and unhealthy communication skills.
~ Dialectical behavior therapy. This form of therapy can help you learn behavioral skills to help you tolerate stress, regulate your emotions and improve your relationships with others, all of which can reduce the desire to binge eat.
Medications: Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (Vyvanse), a drug for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, is the first FDA-approved medication to treat moderate to severe binge-eating disorder in adults. A stimulant, Vyvanse can be habit-forming and abused. Common side effects include a dry mouth and insomnia, but more-serious side effects can occur. Several other types of medication may help reduce symptoms. Examples include:~ Topiramate (Topamax), an anticonvulsant. Normally used to control seizures, topiramate has also been found to reduce binge-eating episodes. However, there are side effects, such as dizziness, nervousness, sleepiness and trouble concentrating, so discuss the risks and benefits with your medical care provider.
~ Antidepressants. Antidepressants may reduce binge-eating. It's not clear how these can reduce binge eating, but it may relate to how they affect certain brain chemicals associated with mood.

~~~ While these medications can be helpful in controlling binge-eating episodes, they may not have much impact on weight reduction.
Behavioral weight-loss programs: Many people with binge-eating disorder have a history of failed attempts to lose weight on their own. However, weight-loss programs typically aren't recommended until the binge-eating disorder is treated, because dieting may trigger more binge-eating episodes, making weight loss less successful. When appropriate, weight-loss programs are generally done under medical supervision to ensure that your nutritional requirements are met. Weight-loss programs that address binge triggers can be especially helpful when you're also getting cognitive behavioral therapy.

SUGGESTED WEBSITES:

FOR MEDICATION, VISIT:
healthdirect.gov
sane.org

FOR WEIGHT-LOSS PROGRAMS, VISIT:
noom.com
totalwellbeingdiet.com

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Eating Disorder Hope. (2020). Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Articles. [online] Available at: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/information/binge-eating-disorder [Accessed 27 Mar. 2020].Blackdoginstitute.org.au. (2020). Black Dog Institute . [online] Available at: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2020].Australian Government Department of Health. (2020). Australian Government Department of Health. [online] Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/ [Accessed 27 Mar. 2020].Hay, P. (1998). The epidemiology of eating disorder behaviors: An Australian community-based survey. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 23(4), pp.371-382.Mayoclinic.org. (2018). Binge-eating disorder - Symptoms. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353627 [Accessed 27 Mar. 2020].Eating Disorder Hope. (2020). Eating Disorders Eat Away at Loving Relationships. [online] Available at: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/family-role/how-eating-disorders-can-affect-relationships [Accessed 27 Mar. 2020].Thebutterflyfoundation.org.au. (2020). What is Binge Eating Disorder? | The Butterfly Foundation. [online] Available at: https://thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/understand-eating-disorders/binge-eating-disorder/ [Accessed 28 Mar. 2020].

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