Hyperphagia is an eating disorder also called “binge eating disorder”, confused with bulimia. Attacks are more frequent in the evening and at night.
Hyperphagia refers to the ingestion of very large quantities of food in a short period of time associated with a loss of control. According to the Foundation for Medical Research (FRM), it affects both women and men. Between 3 and 5% of the population French would be concerned. Unlike bulimia, hyperphagia attacks are not followed by vomiting or other compensatory behaviors.
Definition: what is hyperphagia?
Binge eating disorder or “binge eating disorder” “refers to eating too much food in a short timeimmediately explains Marie-Laure André, dietician and nutritionist. These desires, irrepressible and without feeling of hunger, occur by crisis. Food is swallowed continuously, sometimes even without chewing. It’s a eating pathology of psychiatric origin“. After the crisis follows an episode of deep unhappiness, mixing self-loathing, shame and guilt. But unlike the bulimic person, the hyperphagous does not engage in compensatory behavior (vomiting, medications, intensive physical exercise, etc.). Patients with binge eating disorder more often present with overweight or obesity (but this is not all cases of hyperphagia).
Is overeating an ED?
Hyperphagia is one of the eating disorders (TCA) according to the High Authority of Health (HAS).
What are the symptoms of overeating?
Hyperphagia manifests itself in the following ways:
- Lcontinuous ingestion of diverse and varied foodswithout any particular preference
- An extreme state of nervousness
- The hyperphage eat alone
- feeling of loss of control (feeling like you can’t stop eating or “craving”)
- It only stops when you feel a very intense feeling of fullness.
Dietary monitoring alone is not enough to manage hyperphagia
After the attack, patients suffer from abdominal painoften feel disgusted with themselves and feel guilty.
What causes overeating?
The exact cause of overeating is not well known. “As it is not a physiological need, the development of such eating disorders would be the need to “fill a void”, specifies Marie-Laure André. Very often there is an associated emotional disturbance.” Hyperphagous people are most often anxious, very stressed, even depressed.
If the crisis occurs at night, it is difficult to resist it. “Darkness is often a stress factor and food compulsion appears to be a saving grace”, says our expert. It is more during the day, upstream, that the crisis must be dealt with. Because according to experts, this disorder is linked to a strong desire to control one’s food during the day, leading to compulsions when night comes. “By avoiding restricting oneself in terms of food and demonizing certain foods, by taking charge of your anxiety and stress…it is possible to reduce nocturnal overeating”, indicates the dietitian.
Experts only talk about binge-eating behavior if the attacks occur at least once a week on a 3 month period. The diagnosis is based on the observation of the behaviors described by the patient: the irrepressible eating compulsion, the psychological disorders which ensue… as well as the excess weight which is often correlated with this health problem. “Many sufferers feel shame about this problem and remain alone, isolated, without getting help.remarks Marie-Laure André. You have to let go of your guilt and the first step is to dare to talk about it to those around you to find support.“.
Who treats overeating?
First consult your doctor. This will be able to direct you to a dietitian as well as towards a psychologist and/or psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders. Because dietary monitoring alone is not enough to manage hyperphagia.
What are the treatments for overeating?
A medical and nutritional monitoring is implemented with the help of a nutritionist/dietician. At the same time, this TCA is treated by a therapy specialized in the management of TCA, carried out by a psychiatrist or psychologist. This therapy is often very effective in the management of EDs. there is no medications specifically dedicated to hyperphagia. When the patient presents symptoms of depression or anxiety, antidepressant or anxiolytic treatment may be prescribed.
► Hypnosis is a cognitive therapy. In this sense it can help the hyperphagous patient to control his food intake. “This treatment works in depth to seek out the cause of this behavior and modify the patient’s perception of it and calm the related emotions, explains our expert. Little by little, the attacks become less frequent and then disappear. The patient improves his relationship with food and rediscovers the pleasure of eating.
What are the health consequences of overeating?
Hyperphagia disordersare associated with a significant risk of excess mortality linked to induced metabolic disorders and suicide” indicates the HAS. Hyperphagia is often associated with other psychiatric disorders such as “depression, anxiety disorders, addictive disorders and personality disorders“. In addition to the discomfort it causes, this disorder can, in the long term, lead to health problems through overweight that it causes: type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure…
Thanks to Marie-Laure André, dietitian-nutritionist.