02 Mar What Leads to Secret, Guilty-Eating?

Many people lose self control while eating, become uncomfortably full and consequently feel extremely guilty afterwards. These symptoms are characteristics of a binge and oftentimes lead to a not living your best life.  Where does binge eating originate from and why?

• Neurochemical imbalance in the brain. Neurotransmitters are responsible for controlling mood, appetite, sleep cycles, memory, and many other brain functions. One such chemical is the neurotransmitter serotonin. Our brain releases serotonin after we finish a satisfying and hearty meal. However, in patients with binge eating disorder, serotonin is either not released or released in very small amounts, leading to feelings of hunger and thus, a binge eating episode occurs.

• Genetics.  Research has shown that low levels of serotonin are frequently found in multiple family members. If one family member is predisposed to low levels of certain neurotransmitters, it is likely they will pass this predisposition on to their children. If you have a family history of binge eating, you may be at a higher risk of developing the disorder yourself.

• Life experiences such as stress coupled with genetics can lead to personality traits such as poor stress tolerance which can affect appetite.  Individuals report that they “stress eat” which is a milder symptom but still on the range of the more severe form of binge eating.

Binge eating disorder is characterized by neurotransmitter imbalances in the brain that cannot be controlled by willpower.  It is best diagnosed and treated by a medical professional. Medical research is the answer for many with conditions not well understood by many physicians or diseases with limited treatment options. To learn more about binge eating disorder call the Institute for Advanced Medical Research at 770-817-9200 today.