New Self-Administered Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder Found?

Binge eating disorder is a serious mental illness that can last for years if not treated. Unfortunately, many people don't really take proactive steps to curb it, as some feel embarrassed while others consider it just another poor eating habit. But it goes beyond that.

Binge eating disorder may cause weight gain, metabolic complications, low mood, and anxiety.

Psychological therapy and medication are usually recommended for treating binge eating disorders. And they work well for many patients. However, a new study proves that people with binge eating disorder can now treat themselves at home using a device.

This instrument, known as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), works by stimulating the brain gently through electrodes placed on the scalp. Together with a training program that targets food cravings, tDCS can allow people to treat their binge eating disorder at home.

Why is the new device effective?

Researchers have previously established that patients are usually pushed to binge-eat because of a self-regulatory process in the brain. The device aims to counter this process, thereby cutting off the binge eating cycle.

New tDCS devices have been developed and the researchers tried them on patients, compared with placebo devices (the latter participants didn't know they were using fake instruments).

After six weeks, the participants who used the real tDCS device alongside the training program had way fewer binge eating episodes, and they lost up to 4kg of weight on average. Those who used fake devices or didn't get treatment experienced little or no changes (respectively).

The participants who used the real device plus training also reported that they felt better and happier overall. It was such a positive outcome.

More on the research here.

How to treat binge eating disorder

The new transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) device is a good step in treating the binge eating disorder that's ravaging our communities unnoticed.

Hopefully, patients will be able to treat themselves at home without shame, thanks to this device.

However, the experts will need to conduct more research before the device can go into the market.

For now, the best way to treat binge eating disorder is therapy and medication.

And at Hope Mental Health, we can help.

Our specialists understand the shame, anxiety, and other health problems binge eating can bring. But we want you to know we hear you. We understand you.

Reach out to us today.

Author

Satu H. Woodland, PMHCNS-BC, APRN Satu Woodland is owner and clinician of Hope Mental Health, an integrative mental health practice located at Bown Crossing in Boise, Idaho. She sees children, adolescents, and adults.  Ms. Woodland with her background in nursing, prefers a holistic and integrative approach to mental health care that addresses the mind and body together. While Ms. Woodland provides medication management services in all her patients, she believes in long-lasting solutions that include a number of psychotherapies, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure and response prevention therapy, attention to lifestyle, evidenced based alternative psychiatric care and spirituality. If you’d like to gain control over your mental health issues, call Hope Mental Health at 208-918-0958, or use the online scheduling tool to set up an initial consultation.