Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

Only 43% of those suffering with binge eating disorder will receive treatment at some point in their lifetime, according to NEDA. Failure to seek help can reduce one’s quality of life, and in some cases, cause permanent medical and psychological damage. Receiving timely and appropriate treatment is necessary to decrease disordered eating thoughts and behavior and to increase long-term recovery rates.

In most cases, treatment for binge eating disorder requires a combination of behavioral therapy and skills building, preferably from a healthcare provider specializing in eating disorder treatment. Treatment often includes:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps individuals identify, interrupt and replace distorted thinking and associated compensatory behavior. This treatment works well for those with binge eating disorder, because it focuses on addressing the thoughts and self-views that often trigger binge eating episodes. It can increase understanding of how emotions are managed and teach new techniques to respond more effectively. In the end, individuals learn to improve their relationship with self and food.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT combines the teaching of skills with the practice of mindful awareness to help you discover new ways to manage and regulate emotions, identify trigger and motivate change.

Pharmacotherapy

Combining therapy with medication can also be effective for many people with binge eating disorder. Vyvanse is currently the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of binge eating disorder.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)

IPT focuses on the relationships in one’s life, which provide an important context to behavior. By analyzing personal connections and identifying ways to better manage interactions with people, binge eating episodes may become less prominent.

Weight Loss Programs Often Fail

Other ways of addressing binge eating behavior, via extreme dieting or weight loss programs, often fail to properly and permanently address causes and symptoms of binge eating disorder. In many cases, strict commitment to weight loss, without emphasis on behavioral change, can prolong symptoms and associated risks.

Walden provides treatment for binge eating disorder at all levels of care – inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient treatment. Our goal is to help you build the skills, confidence, and sense of hope that will guide you to a full and lasting recovery.

Our specialized intensive outpatient program (IOP), Free to Be, includes individual and group therapy, as well as nutrition education. Our outpatient practice offers medication management, in addition to support from a dietitian and various forms of therapy.

Getting Started with Binge Eating Support: Intake Assessment

Help for binge eating disorder is always a quick and confidential phone call away.

We will conduct a brief (10 to 15 minutes) telephone intake, where we will review your concerns and gather basic background, medical and insurance information. From there, we will determine whether a more detailed, in-person clinical evaluation is required at the Walden location closest to you.

The evaluation will be conducted by a member of Walden’s clinical staff and will include a psychiatric assessment, an in-depth review of clinical information and a recommendation for the proper level of care. Primary care referrals are not required; we will work with your insurance provider or providers for approval of binge eating disorder treatment.

The entire assessment will be confidential, and we will make it as easy and comfortable for you as possible.

Whole Health Approach

Binge eating disorder is an incredibly complex condition, with many medical, behavioral and nutritional components. At Walden, we provide a comprehensive level of treatment that addresses all facets of the disorder, while providing superior care across several areas.

These include:

• Medical Care
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy
• Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
• Mindfulness Therapy
• Individual and Group Counseling
• Nutritional Counseling
• Medication Management
• Expressive Therapy
• Relapse Prevention

Role of Family

While binge eating disorder is most common in adults, it can occur in adolescents, too. When it does, family plays a critical role in reducing binge episodes and improving long-term outcomes.

Walden empowers families to become the best support system and advocate for their child. We often refer to families as active participants – and the greatest assets – on our treatment team. In our lower levels of care, families attend treatment sessions and take charge of making food decisions for their child. No one is to blame when binge eating disorder affects a family.

Read our blog posts about binge eating disorder and learn more about symptoms, potential causes, health risks, and diagnosis.

Walden Can Help with Binge Eating Recovery.

If you are concerned that you – or a loved one – may have an eating disorder, we are here to help. Please call (888) 228-1253 to speak with a member of our admissions team, or complete the form on this page, to start the road to recovery.

Learn more about our virtual Free to Be intensive outpatient program for adults who struggle with binge eating disorder, emotional eating, and compulsive eating. This virtual treatment program is flexible, offering both daytime and evening programming, so get started on your path to recovery today.