Binge Eating Disorder is being proposed by the American Psychiatric Association as a new diagnostic category for the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V that is due to come out in May of 2013. You might want to go check this one out. See if you fit the description. This process is important since what goes in the manual used by all health care professionals and insurance companies will affect your pocket book. If it is in the book insurance will cover the diagnosis….if not then no coverage. Now it is important to note there is no category for Food Addiction in this book and Binge Eating Disorder as listed is not the same as Food Addiction. Not everyone is happy about this state of affairs.
You could look at what Michael Prager has to say on his blog for example. He thinks Food Addiction needs to be in the book. He is about to publish a book and this is a major focus of his book. The Big Fat Blog founded by Paul McAleer thinks obesity is not an addiction or so it seems since this blog is devoted to what is known as “fat acceptance” movement….not that there is anything wrong with that. In addition, you can see what psychologist Elizabeth Hartney of About.com has to say about the situation.
What do I think? Well I agree with Dr. Hartney for the most part. She thinks it is a good beginning but it might be better if it was called Food Addiction. Bottom line I am for whatever works for an individual to live the life they consciously have chosen if at all possible. It has been empowering for me to identify myself as a food addict and has led to a very different life than I might have had if I remained fat. I am very glad that insurance would be covering work with folks who are wanting to change. Finally, it is likely there will be more research focused on the issue as well if it is “in the book” as it were. Until next time.