Binge Eating at Night

"Caren was a great girl. She was intelligent, smart and performed well at whatever she took up. However, she was a little overweight. Due to her hectic lifestyle, never did she get the time to pay attention to her ever increasing weight. However, when she realized that her weight gain was constant and alarming, she decided to go in for a good weight loss plan. It included a diet regime and workouts. However, every night, poor Caren used to lay awake in bed because of hunger. She once dared to get out of bed and eat something. This aberration soon turned into a habit. Caren is still overweight and is battling binge eating at night!"

Well, I believe the story has introduced you to the concept of binge eating at night. It is very common these days. Due to hectic and highly unhealthy lifestyles, people are getting addicted to eating at night. More so, the stress of the lifestyle and the need to excel and achieve perfection also contribute to binge eating at night. I hardly need to say, it is terrible for health. People suffering from binge eating at night basically do so, as they do not get the time or the solitude to indulge in binge eating in the day. More on eating disorders.

Who is More Susceptible to the Dangers of Binge Eating?
People who have very high standards for themselves, and are obsessed with weight or food. Food for these people is like comfort. It is their stress booster.

Is Binge Eating at Night the Same as Bulimia?
Binge eating at night is very different from bulimia. Bulimia is characterized by the act of binging and then purging. This happens as the patient wishes to lose weight, but has a taste for certain foods. Binge eating at night is not necessarily done by someone who wishes to lose weight. It is a matter of a certain individual loving food and not getting time to eat it comfortably during the day time. Binge eating at night tends to help these individuals relax and let go off the stress. On the other hand, they have a nagging worry about something, the worry being relieved by eating. More so, the eating allows the individual to go back to sleep at ease. Binge eating at night also makes the eater feel guilty, however, seldom does purging occur.

What are the Symptoms of Binge Eating at Night?
Binge eating at night is characterized by certain behavioral patterns.

• Eating large amounts of food, when not very hungry. This eating is mostly done faster than usual and when alone.
• Eating until uncomfortably full, to the point of purging. However, a binge eater will not purge.
• Eating alone is a characteristic of a binge eater due to the nervousness caused by the amount of food they consume.
• Feeling guilty and disgusted is normal in binge eating. The binge eater will feel acute disgust and disappointment with themselves after eating. However, this feeling doesn't stay for long.

What are the Complications Caused by Binge Eating at Night
Binge eating at night is not healthy, that goes without saying. It has several side effects and causes complications like;

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Gall bladder disease
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Low self esteem
• Loss of confidence
• Lack of sleep side effects can also be experienced due to lack of sleep while eating.

Binge eating is like a vicious circle. It is often caused due to low self esteem. However, the attached weight gain and disgust about behavior leads to a further drop in self esteem, putting the patient in a position where they cannot get themselves out of the stupor.

How to Stop Binge Eating at Night
Like any addiction, it's tough to give up the habit of binge eating. It requires a lot of self motivated will power. Being human, we are all driven by desire. However, a person engaging in binge eating needs to find another desire. Partners and family members need to be vigilant at night time. If the patient wakes up to eat, accompany that person and take them out of it. The habit will go slowly, and consistent efforts need to be put. Partners of the patient could try very stimulating love making at night that would tire them out and make them go off to deep sleep. On the weekends, longer love making sessions could help better. Family support and understanding can help the patient drop this habit and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Food is one of the basic requirement for any living organism. However, this requirement is of a certain amount. Beyond that, consumption would be detrimental to health. More so, don't let anyone make you feel bad about yourself. Have faith in yourself, that is all that will help you battle your problem of binge eating at night. This is where I sign off! Take care!