Researchers have several theories about the connection between bipolar disorder and binge eating. Some of these involve genetics, trauma, and side effects of certain medications.
Binge eating is when an individual feels unable to stop eating and consumes a large portion of food in a short time. It may affect a number of people living with bipolar disorder.
Although there is no clear link between bipolar disorder and binge eating, researchers have a few theories.
This article discusses the possible connections between bipolar disorder and binge eating, the effects of these conditions, and how to find support.
According to Mental Health America, 1 in 40 U.S. adults live with bipolar disorder. The mental health condition causes episodes of depression and mania, hypomania, or both, and may also affect a person’s appetite.
Having either bipolar disorder or an eating disorder may predispose a person to have the other. Although binge eating can occur as a part of other eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder (BED), it can also happen independently.
When binge eating does occur, it often appears around the time bipolar mood symptoms arise.
Both conditions share the following traits:
beginning early in life , around late adolescence or early adulthood- being cyclical in nature
- causing emotional reactivity and changes in energy levels and eating patterns
When researchers analyzed 47 studies with over 30,000 participants as part of a
- 12.5% of people with bipolar disorder as their primary diagnosis also had BED
- 9.1% of people with BED as their primary diagnosis also had bipolar disorder
Similar findings occurred between bulimia nervosa and bipolar disorder:
- 7.4% of people with bipolar disorder as their primary diagnosis also had bulimia nervosa
- 6.7% of people with bulimia nervosa as their primary diagnosis also had bipolar disorder
One condition may affect the other
Bipolar disorder and eating disorders may affect one another. For example, certain moods may trigger a binge eating episode. Some people find that during manic episodes, they are more likely to binge eat than during periods of depression.
Researchers think this could be due to the emotional symptoms people experience during an episode that could make someone more likely to have impaired impulse control or feel anxious.
During a manic episode, a person’s impulsivity may increase, leading to binge eating. Alternatively, during a state of depression, someone may not feel inclined to eat, experiencing low appetite and energy.
However, for some people, the opposite is true. Impulsive and anxious tendencies during mania lead to skipped meals and forgetting to eat.
When the person enters a period of depression, they may feel inclined to eat more of a specific type of food or have cravings for certain foods. Some researchers theorize binge eating during depression could be a maladaptive coping skill.
Due to recent understandings of how one condition may affect the other, some researchers propose that a diagnosable subtype, such as bipolar disorder with an eating disorder, is necessary.
Although there is no concrete link, researchers have proposed the following theories:
Genetics
A
Variations in this gene are linked to both conditions. The gene supports several bodily processes, including energy level stability and monitoring of food intake.
Both disorders also have a high chance of heritability, meaning a parent with the condition may pass it on to their children.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
BDNF is a brain and spinal cord protein. It has many roles, but a few important ones are energy, mood, and appetite balance. BDNF can suppress food intake, helping regulate a person’s appetite.
However,
The fluctuations further highlight the connection between mood episodes as triggers for binge eating.
Side effects of medication
Doctors may recommend medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Common medications can include antipsychotics.
Antipsychotics may contribute to disordered eating. Some antipsychotics affect the brain’s reward system, increasing activity in the area linked with food rewards.
Research has also found that prolonged antipsychotic use affects satiety, decreasing a person’s ability to recognize when they are full. As a result, weight gain can occur.
Experts theorize that in some cases, weight gain from antipsychotic use may further the cycle of purging and bingeing.
Self-soothing
It is common to turn to food when a person feels uncomfortable emotions. For people with bipolar disorder, binge eating may be a maladaptive coping skill during manic or depressive episodes.
In one 2021 study, participants with bipolar disorder reported eating when they wanted to feel comforted and more in control during quick mood changes, as well as to comfort themselves when they felt fatigued or disinterested in life.
Trauma
Researchers believe trauma may be a risk factor for both bipolar disorder and eating disorders.
Traumatic disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and BED, are
In a 2022 study focusing on teenagers and young adults, researchers discovered that among participants with bipolar disorder and an eating disorder, 20% also had PTSD.
Binge eating in people who have experienced trauma may be another way to exercise control through food or use food to cope with extreme emotions.
It can be common for bipolar disorder and eating disorders to occur alongside each other. When they do, these conditions can cause adverse mental effects, such as:
- anxiety
- mood instability
- suicidal thoughts
This may be because poorer physical health
In a 2020 study, people with both bipolar disorder and an eating disorder reported more severe:
- body dissatisfaction
- worsened impulse control
- decreased awareness of satiety and hunger cues
- weight concerns
- eating concerns
Overall, the worsened symptoms of bipolar disorder and an eating disorder can reduce quality of life. Tasks such as preparing food or grocery shopping can become sources of extreme stress. A person may feel tired or stressed when trying to manage binge eating impulses or shifts in mood on their own.
Treatment may benefit both conditions, improving a person’s quality of life.
As one condition may affect the other, it is important to treat both.
For bipolar disorder
Medication and talk therapy together can help manage bipolar disorder symptoms.
There is a risk that some bipolar disorder medications can cause disordered eating. A person can talk with a doctor about other medication options if adverse side effects occur.
For binge eating
Binge eating treatment primarily consists of therapy. Therapy may address the following:
- past trauma and how to work through it
- disordered thinking surrounding food
- food insecurity triggers
- creation of a routine to balance eating, activity, and sleep
In addition to one-on-one therapy, disordered eating support groups may also be beneficial.
For both conditions
Though researchers theorize one condition plays a role with the other,
The conditions together can be particularly complex. People with bipolar disorder taking antipsychotic medications are typically not part of binge eating studies due to the likelihood of their medication adversely affecting appetite and weight.
Similarly, bipolar disorder studies usually focus on weight loss and obesity instead of binge eating.
A few recent studies are exploring effective treatments for both conditions. For example, a 2021 study found that participants with both BED and bipolar disorder benefited from dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Other research suggests cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may lessen depression in people with BED.
Some frequently asked questions about bipolar disorder and binge eating include:
What are maladaptive behaviors in bipolar disorder?
Maladaptive behaviors describe actions that may prevent a person from adapting or managing situations or stressors in healthy ways. With bipolar disorder, some common maladaptive behaviors include self-blame, catastrophizing, rumination, substance use, risk taking, and behavioral disengagement.
Does bipolar cause increased hunger?
People living with bipolar disorder experience periods of intense emotion. These mood episodes can trigger changes in eating habits. For example, binge eating may occur more often during manic episodes because mania can boost feelings of impulsivity and increase appetite.
Why do people with bipolar crave sugar?
Some evidence suggests that people living with bipolar disorder may have lower levels of serotonin. A deficiency of serotonin may result in a craving for carbohydrates or sugars.
People living with bipolar disorder may be more likely to experience episodes of binge eating.
Although there is no clear link, various theories explain how one condition may affect the other. However, experts know that when the conditions co-occur, the symptoms and treatments can be complex.
Therefore, a combination of treatment strategies works well, including psychotherapy and medication. A person living with both conditions can work with a healthcare team to create a holistic treatment plan for the best care.