Treatment of Binge eating

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It is important to get help quickly if you feel you may have an eating disorder. Your doctor will assess you, and advise the best course of treatment to deal with the problem. Dieting as a means of dealing with the problem should be avoided, particularly if you are not overweight, as this may make the binge eating worse.

People who are overweight should follow a weight-loss plan drawn up by a healthcare professional, but underlying psychological issues usually need to be dealt with first if weight loss is to be successful and lasting.

Guidance issued in 2004 by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends a self-help programme, under the supervision of healthcare professionals. Cognitive behavioural therapy and other psychological treatments should be offered, and in some cases treatment with a SSRI type of anti-depressant may be required at the same time, or instead of talking therapies.

People who binge are encouraged to stop relying on the cycle of bingeing and guilt as a way of dealing with emotional problems. It is possible to recover fully from eating disorders, and certain forms of therapy may help such as:

counselling,
self-help and support groups,
psychotherapy (drama or arts therapy), and
diet and nutritional advice.