To what extent does depression lead to binge eating disorder?
Feb 10, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhu Gang
Introduction
To what extent depression leads to binge eating disorder mainly depends on the individual patient. Some patients lose their appetite due to depression, while others, in contrast, may engage in binge eating, which is a manifestation of bulimia nervosa. Depression accompanied by binge eating is a relatively complex condition; besides exhibiting tendencies toward overeating, depressed patients may also develop neurotic anorexia.
How severe depression needs to be before binge eating disorder develops largely depends on individual circumstances. Some patients lose their appetite due to depression, while others, in contrast, may overeat or eat compulsively—this is a manifestation of bulimia nervosa.
Depression accompanied by binge eating is a relatively complex condition. Besides exhibiting tendencies toward overeating, patients with depression may also develop neurotic anorexia. However, depressive patients with binge-eating tendencies are relatively rare; most patients primarily present with symptoms such as neurotic anorexia and reduced appetite. If a patient experiences sudden increases or decreases in food intake, they should promptly visit a hospital to determine the underlying cause and prevent the development or worsening of depression.
Patients with depression should seek medical care and, under a doctor's guidance, use antidepressant medications such as paroxetine, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine. Receiving timely treatment is essential to prevent the condition from progressively worsening. In daily life, patients should avoid hard-to-digest and greasy foods, and instead consume more porridge and light meals to aid digestion.
