42 / 92
www.theconnectionsnj.com
Haymaker & Haymaker
Psychological Services, LLC
AD/HD, Anxiety, Depression,
Eating Disorders,
Marriage and Family,
Underachievement
Problems in Relationships
Providing care for adults, families, children
and adolescents for over 20 years.
Stephanie Haymaker, Ph.D.
NJ Lic Psychologist, SI 2794
Douglas Haymaker, Ph.D.
NJ Lic Psychologist, SI 2793
For More Information, Please Call or
See our Websites:
www.DrStephanieHaymaker.com
NJ Psychologist Lic 2794
www.DrDougHaymaker.com
NJ Psychologist Lic 2793
245 Route 22, Suite 305, Bridgewater, NJ
908-429-9300
WHAT IS BINGE EATING
DISORDER?
Douglas Haymaker, Ph.D
Stephanie Haymaker, Ph.D
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most
common eating disorder among adults
in the US. According to a national sur-
vey, BED affects an estimated 2.8 mil-
lion people. It is more common among
adults than is anorexia and bulimia
combined. So if you are struggling
with these symptoms, know you are
not alone.
The disorder is diagnosed when an
individual has recurring episodes of
eating significantly more food in a
short period of time than most people
would eat in similar circumstances,
with marked feelings of loss of control.
Binges are usually followed by feelings
of shame, disgust or embarrassment,
and the behavior is often done in
secret. This disorder is associated with
marked distress, and occurs, on aver-
age, at least weekly for three months.
More people suffer from this problem
than are diagnosed, because of the dif-
ficulty people have in sharing their
problem with family, friends or even
their doctors. BED is often associated
with anxiety, depression and/or sub-
stance abuse.
BED may develop at any stage of the
life cycle, but often arises in adoles-
cence or early adulthood. While more
common in women, the issue affects
many men also. BED occurs at a simi-
lar rate across ethnic and racial groups.
There is evidence that genetic and bio-
logical factors may influence one’s
chances of developing this disorder.
Why people develop this particular
problem is the subject of some debate.
Binge eaters often (but not always)
have difficulty identifying feelings, lim-
ited coping strategies, difficulty with
assertiveness and low self-esteem.
Paradoxically, sufferers present a
confidant, competent face to the
outside world, and come home to a
private struggle.
A common belief is that a lack of will
power is at the root of this disorder,
but that is a misconception. Although
people who are diagnosed with BED
do not compensate for binges with
purging behaviors such as vomiting,
severe dieting, or laxative abuse, they
may limit certain foods or develop
other unhealthy eating patterns. This
sets up a cycle for repeating the pat-
tern, as our bodies are biologically
primed to overeat when somehow
deprived. No amount of determina-
tion can compete with this biology. A
commitment to regular, healthy meals
is an important first step in breaking
the cycle.
Another important step in exploring
recovery from BED involves an increas-
ing awareness of the feelings that trig-
ger the urge to binge. In an over stim-
ulating world, it is all too easy to
become disconnected from our inner
life. Reaching for comfort food may
seem to be a simpler solution. What is
initially a calming strategy soon
becomes a source of additional stress.
Binge eating can become automatic.
The solution involves learning to iden-
tify feelings and look deeper for what
is driving unhealthy and unsatisfying
behavior.
Eating disorders can be a challenge for
treatment because of the many ways
these symptoms appear. A thorough
treatment plan involves a thoughtful
approach to each patient’s specific
needs. Treatment may involve some
combination of psychotherapy, nutri-
tional counseling, family and/or group
therapy. Medication may be helpful to
address the anxiety and depression
that may occur with an eating disorder.
Getting started is often the hardest
part of the process. If these patterns
sound familiar, perhaps it is time to
take that first step and seek the help
that is right for you.
Dr. Douglas Haymaker is a licensed clinical
psychologist with over 20 years of clinical
experience. He is presently a partner at Hay-
maker and Haymaker Psychological Services,
a private practice setting where your confi-
dentiality is assured, in Bridgewater, NJ. He
attended college at Brown University and
graduate school at the University of Florida in
Gainesville, FL. Areas of specialization include
relationship issues, coping with transitions
such as loss and divorce, and the assessment
and treatment of AD/HD, anxiety, depression
and PTSD. He also performs psychological,
neuropsychological and educational evaluations.
Follow Us On
Instagram
to See Who’s Making
Community
“Connections”!
@Connectionmag
PAGE 42
