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For the first time, Binge Eating Disorder has a chance of being included as a diagnostic category in the main body of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

The new category is proposed to be included in the proposed Eating and Feeding Disorders, rather than the new Addictions and Related Disorders category, which is planned to replace the Substance Related Disorders category.

It is good news that Binge Eating Disorder is being considered, as the Eating Disorders category has previously been dominated by the focus on conditions characterized by under-eating rather than over-eating.

Yet I wonder how well Binge Eating Disorder will fare in this category, and whether the new Behavioral Addictions section of the Addiction and Related Disorders category would be a better place for Binge Eating Disorder, under a different label, such as “Food Addiction.” Although a disorder of eating, a key characteristic it shares with other behavioral and substance addictions is perceived lack of control.

In contrast, Eating Disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are characterized by attempts to exert excessive control.

What do you think? You can post comments here, but more effectively, you can give your comments directly to the DSM working group, who will be taking comments from the public for the next few months.

Binge Eating Disorder Proposed For DSM-V originally appeared on About.com Addictions on Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 15:52:54.

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