Binge eating disorder and the signs to look out for
LISA SALMON speaks to two experts to discuss how parents can help young people with the condition
WE ALL overeat sometimes, but for one in 50 people, including children and teenagers, overeating turns into the most common but least understood eating problem – binge eating disorder. Binge eating disorder (BED) is far more than just being greedy – it’s a serious mental illness which, along with other eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia, may have got worse for some during the pandemic, due to the uncertainty, stress, and lack of support networks. This year’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week (March 1-7) focuses on binge eating, and while the disorder can affect anyone of any age or gender, it’s known that most eating disorders begin in adolescence – although sometimes, they can start even younger. Tom Quinn, director of external affairs for the eating disorders charity Beat (beateatingdisorders.org. uk), says: “Binge Eating Disorder is a serious mental illness. It’s not about choosing to eat more food than usual, nor are people who suffer from it just ‘overindulging’ – far from being enjoyable, binges are very distressing, and sufferers find it difficult to stop during a binge, even if they want to.” Kerrie Jones, who runs the eating disorder day care treatment centre Orri (orri-uk.com) says: “People with Binge Eating Disorder often talk of going into a trance-like state when they binge, and they may engage in drastic and abnormal behaviours to get hold of food, such as stealing or eating food that’s been thrown away. “There’s no pleasure involved with bingeing – it’s a compulsive act and often a response to emotional distress.”
Here, Kerrie and Tom discuss the symptoms of BED, and how parents can spot the signs in their child and help them...
What are the symptoms of BED?
Signs vary, says Tom, but often include eating when not hungry or until uncomfortably full, hoarding food, avoiding eating around others, withdrawing socially and isolating, and weight gain.
Unlike people with bulimia, binge eaters don’t try to get rid of the food they’ve eaten by vomiting, although they may fast afterwards. Feelings of self-disgust and self-harming may also be part of the disorder, says Kerrie, as well as perfectionism, depression, conditions like obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety, low self-esteem and a preoccupation with body image and appearance. She says: “It’s common for people to feel trapped within a cycle of bingeing and restricting – it can feel extremely out of control, and there can be a lot of shame associated with bingeing, causing people to isolate and become more secretive around food and their emotional state.”
What causes BED?
Tom says that while the exact cause isn’t known, it’s likely to be down to a combination of biological and social factors. “The most common precursor to a binge is low mood, and it’s thought binges may occur in response to challenging emotions and difficult life events.”
What’s the difference between binge eating and being greedy?
Overeating occasionally is normal, says Tom. “But if your child is experiencing the symptoms of binge eating disorder regularly, this could be a cause for concern.”
In such cases, parents should speak to their GP, he advises.
How can parents help young people with BED?
As soon as you suspect something’s wrong, talk to your child, picking a calm time when they’re receptive, advises Kerrie.
“Approach the topic gently,” she says, “keeping in mind that despite what it looks like, eating disorders
are not about food. Rather, food is a symptom of much more complex, underlying emotional causes, and it’s likely your child will be struggling with co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety.
“Focusing on food behaviours in isolation may cause them to become defensive or to deny their experience, and it’s very important to ensure lines of communication are kept open.” Tom suggests parents ask their child how they’re feeling and what they’re thinking. He adds that, “it can be helpful to remind them you can hear they’re upset and how difficult things are, and you’ll be there to help them if they need you.”
Could this be my fault?
It’s nobody’s fault that a child develops an eating disorder, stresses Tom, who points out: “It can feel overwhelming to have a loved one diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder, and it’s important to remember that neither they or you are to blame.”
What else can parents do?
Both experts say it’s important for parents to educate themselves about BED – there’s plenty of information on Beat’s website. “Your child may be equally concerned or confused by what they’re going through, so do your research,” advises Kerrie. Finding specialist help is also vitally important, she stresses, pointing out that an eating disorder psychotherapist, psychologist or clinic, combined with a specialist dietitian, can help young people and their families take important steps towards recovery.
Is a full recovery possible?
Tom and Kerrie both believe that with the right help, it’s possible to make a full and sustained recovery from BED. Kerrie says eating disorder experts work to heal the underlying cause of the problem, by giving sufferers the tools they need for long-term, sustainable recovery, and giving them hope. Tom adds: “Recovery will vary from person to person – some recovered people may still experience eating disorder thoughts from time to time, but not allow them to take effect by using the coping techniques they have learned.”
■ Call the Beat Youthline for under 18s on 0808 801 0711.
IT’S hard to make any great predictions about foreign travel over the next few months, but one thing is for certain: tourists are set to be bolder in their choice of destination, with bigger trips in store. Bucket-list adventures and oncein-a-lifetime escapades will be topping most wish lists as we seek to make up for travel time lost in the past year.
Already, tour operators have seen increased interest in itineraries to Antarctic and the Arctic, with some companies even releasing trips for 2023.
Tempted by the big freeze? Here are a few things to consider before taking the polar plunge.
North or South: where should I go?
Although both poles are frozen kingdoms at opposite ends of the earth, there are several distinct differences. The North Pole is essentially ice surrounded by land, while Antarctica is land (the world’s seventh continent, in fact) surrounded by ice Most journeys south concentrate on the Peninsula, a thin strip of land curling from Antarctica towards the tip of Argentina.
There are pricier expeditions further inland to climb mountains and search for colonies of emperor penguins, but at around £30K-plus, they are beyond most people’s reach. Instead, travellers head either west or east along the Peninsula and her islands, depending on levels of ice and their chosen interest. Tourism in the Arctic, on the other hand, is mainly divided between trips to the Canadian Arctic and Svalbard (an archipelago under Norwegian sovereignty). Because of its scale and the abundance of guaranteed wildlife sightings, many would argue Antarctica is the most dramatic option – although every area has its appeal. If you’re a polar newbie, Svalbard is the easiest and cheapest region to reach.
What wildlife will I see?
First, make a choice between birds and bears: polar bears live in the north while penguins are only found down south. If you’re urging to see bears, Churchill in Canada has some of the September biggest gatherings, when especially tours are in conducted on specialised tundra buggies. Although much harder to track, sightings of bears in Svalbard can .be more rewarding. Dwarfed by tumbling glaciers and spikey mountains, the bears are trickier to spot – but the setting is as wild as it gets. If plumping for penguins, Antarctica is the only choice. Thousands of Adelies, chinstraps and gentoos gather along the Peninsula, so you’ll almost be sick of the sound (and smell) after a few days. Emblazoned with distinctive gold collars, king penguins only reside in the subantarctic islands of South Georgia and the Falklands, along with colonies of rockhoppers.
Humpbacks, blue whales and orcas can be found navigating waters at either end – with populations bounding back in recent decades, thanks to bans on whaling. Likewise, birdlife is equally healthy at both poles, although avian addicts will be overwhelmed by the cliffs of Alkefjellet in Svalbard, where clouds of kittiwakes and guillemots billow like smoke.
What about evidence of human history?
Multiple explorers have attempted to conquer the white continent by traversing its empty desert, but no-one has ever managed to colonise it.
The only signs of human settlement are expedition huts preserved almost perfectly in the deep freeze, along with modern-day research stations.
Antarctica’s most chilling recollections of the past can be found on Deception Island and subantarctic island South Georgia, where rusted blubber ovens are the remains of a decimating whaling industry.
It’s a similar story in Svalbard, where the ocean giants were slain by sailors in the 17th and 18th century.
But in terms of human history, the most intriguing area is the Canadian Arctic, where indigenous communities have eked out a living on the ice for thousands of years. The history of foreign exploration also dates back much further, with countless sailors spurred on by a mission to find the Northwest Passage – a fabled trade route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific, now ironically opened up by melting ice and climate change. Cruises following the Passage stop at islands
If plumping for penguins, Antarctica is the only choice
Sarah Marshall offers advice on where to
see wildlife
such as Beechey Island and Devon Island, in a stretch of water where 19th century British explorer Sir John Franklin mysteriously lost his two ships Erebus and Terror, both of which were only recently found.
I get seasick. Is there another option?
Most polar itineraries use cruise ships to access remote areas and provide a good degree of comfort once back onboard. Newer, modern vessels fare much better in stormy weather. There are other options. Taking off from Punta Arenas in Chile, flights land directly on King George Island in the South Shetland Islands, cutting out the notoriously stormy body of water between South America and Antarctica. Once you’re weaving in between islands, the water is glassy and calm. To see polar bears in Svalbard, you’ll need to set sail. But if it’s a taste of Arctic life that appeals, it is possible to do a land-based stay in Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen during winter (December to March), when activities include husky rides, snowmobile safaris and looking for northern lights.
For land-based polar bear tours, Churchill in Canada is ideal.
When is the best time to travel?
THE Antarctic season starts from early November until early March. Most photographers prefer to travel at the start of the season, with its long pink polar dawns and purple dusks. December and January are generally the best times to see penguin hatchlings. February and March are the top choice for cetacean sightings. Cruises to the Arctic take place in the summer, roughly from June to September. In Svalbard, it’s easier to find marine-dwelling bears in June and July when there’s more ice. In September, the light is glorious, as sunrises and sunsets return. There’s also an opportunity to circumnavigate the archipelago, rewarding visitors with dramatic scenery.
Which cruise ship ahould I choose?
WHEN selecting a voyage, first decide on size: bigger ships might have more facilities, but they won’t all be able to tuck into certain sites of interest. It’s worth noting, most locations have a maximum visitor number of 100 at a time, so excursions might take longer as guests are rotated.
Other important considerations include the speed of engines, sustainability policies adopted by the cruise company, the calibre of naturalists and speakers on board, and any additional activities offered.
Some companies, for example, sell kayaking, overnight camping on the ice and even snorkelling.