Night Eater Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Of This Eating Disorder
The best-known Eating Disorders (ED) are anorexia and bulimia, but in recent years the possibility of including new disorders in the DSM has been considered. (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
One of them is the Night Eater Syndrome which along with Binge Eating Disorder (this one is included in the DSM-V) predominates in obese patients, although they can also develop in patients with normal weight.
One of the main characteristics of this disorder is that The person who suffers from it eats a large amount of calories after dinner, even waking up at night to eat. During the morning, present morning anorexiathat is, he practically does not eat; and during the rest of the day, until nightfall, eat few calories. Night Eater Syndrome (NES) causes serious health problems, so it is necessary to treat it as soon as possible.
Characteristics and symptoms of Night Eating Syndrome
In this disorder, the individual eats little throughout the day because the large consumption occurs after night, with the consequence that overweight and sleep disturbances appear.
Some data
Nutrition experts They recommend that the daily intake should be distributed over five meals. Breakfast and lunch should be strong meals, providing between them 50-60% of the daily calorie consumption. The mid-morning snack and afternoon snack should contribute 10-15% each and dinner 20%.
Individuals suffering from night eating syndrome They can eat at least 50 percent of their calories at night causing a decompensation with respect to these recommendations.
Night Eater Syndrome It is characterized by presenting the following symptoms :
Causes
There is not much research on this disorder, but in the different analyzes carried out in some studies there seems to be a modification of the neuroendocrine pattern (for example, cortisol, Pituitary Adrenal Pituitary, melatonin and leptin) that participates in the regulatory function of our own circadian rhythms that modulate various metabolic and psychological functions.
The high presence of cortisol at night (but not during the day), the hormone related to stress, stands out, so one of the main causes would be the increase in nocturnal stress.
Other studies, They relate this disorder to environmental and sociocultural factors, as well as to a certain genetic predisposition. Furthermore, in some cases, the onset of this syndrome is related to anxiety or depression disorders, which can lead to an increase in food intake to reduce anxious and depressive symptoms.
Treatment
The treatment of this pathology It may require a multidisciplinary intervention with different professionals: dietician, endocrinologist and psychologist or psychiatrist.
The dietician must design a diet according to the characteristics of the subject, the endocrinologist must monitor the patient’s hormonal characteristics, and the psychologist will work on aspects related to the feelings, emotions or beliefs and well-being of the person with Syndrome. Night Dining Room.
Regarding psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Mindfulness can be of great help so that the patient can overcome the disorder. Besides, Psychology can provide the patient with the tools to learn to face their problem and change their attitudes and habits towards food. and it will be necessary to overcome anxiety or depression.
In severe cases, drug treatment may be necessary. Certain medications such as SSRI (Selective Reuptake Inhibitors Serotonin) have shown their effectiveness for treatment.
