Binge eating disorder is usually treated on an outpatient basis. If there is insufficient change with outpatient therapy, inpatient therapy is required. Other reasons for inpatient therapy include:
- Severity of illness (e.g., low motivation).
- Severe conflicts in the social and family environment
- Severe mental and physical concomitant diseases (eg, diabetes mellitus).
- Suicidality (suicide risk)
General measures
- Aim for normal weight! Determination of BMI (body mass index, body mass index) or body composition by means of electrical impedance analysis and, if necessary, participation in a medically supervised weight loss program.
- Avoidance of psychosocial stress:
- Relationship problems
Regular checkups
- Regular medical checkups
Nutritional medicine
- Maintenance of a nutritional protocol by patients → nutritional analysis.
- Nutritional counseling with the aim of dietary change and weight loss.
- Dietary recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things:
- A total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit daily (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit).
- Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
- High-fiber diet (whole grains, vegetables).
- Observance of the following special dietary recommendations:
- A meal plan should be established with regular meals and snacks. Thus, binge eating can be prevented.
- Slow and deliberate chewing to feel satiety. Sufferers must relearn the pleasurable eating and the perception of body signals.
- Selection of appropriate food based on the nutritional analysis.
- See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
- Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.
Sports Medicine
- Motivating to physical activity
- Endurance training (cardio training) and strength training (muscle training).
- Preparation of a fitness or training plan with appropriate sports disciplines based on a medical check (health check or athlete check).
- Detailed information on sports medicine you will receive from us.
Psychotherapy
- The following measures of psychotherapy can be used:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – discussion of psychological problems in terms of binge eating frequency. The duration of therapy should be at least 25 sessions with a frequency of at least one hour of therapy per week. [Level of evidence: 1a]
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) – short-term psychotherapy; it draws on cognitive-behavioral approaches, among others. [Level of evidence: 1b]
- Psychodynamically oriented therapy (PT) – working through conflicts and crises.
- If necessary, stress management
- Detailed information on psychosomatic medicine (including stress management) can be obtained from us.
