Nocturnal Sleep-Related Eating Disorder
Posted on: February 6th, 2018
Nocturnal Sleep-Related Eating Disorder (NS-RED) is not widely known and understood even though it affects an estimated 3% of the general population and 10-15% of people with other eating disorders. Part of the confusion surrounding the condition is that it has the characteristics of two disorders – both sleeping and eating.
Those suffering from NS-RED eat while seeming to be sound asleep. The eating can take place in bed, in the kitchen or anywhere in the house. It’s important to emphasize that during NS-RED episodes these individuals are not fully conscious – they’re unaware that they are eating. When they wake they have either no memory or just a fragmentary memory of having eaten. Typically, a stomach ache or food wrappers are the only evidence of the event.
Since people with NS-RED are not consciously making food choices during episodes they tend to eat high-fat, high-sugar comfort foods that they restrain themselves from eating while awake. Often bizarre combinations of foods are consumed, such as hotdogs dipped in peanut butter, raw bacon with mayonnaise, etc. Or even inedible items like soap are sliced and eaten as if they were cheese. Understandably, the realization of this behavior causes embarrassment, shame and even fear of losing one’s mind.
There are myriad reasons people develop NS-RED. Often different types of daytime eating disorders that severely limit calories or result in binging and/or purging can lead to NS-RED. Or even non-disorder related dieting can leave people hungry and vulnerable to developing NS-RED. Others that fall prey to NS-RED have histories of alcoholism, drug abuse and sleep disorders such as sleep walking, restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea.
NS-RED needs to be taken very seriously, because it can lead to major health problems and potentially lethal situations. Eating large amounts of high calorie food at night (in addition to daytime calories) can lead to weight gain and obesity-related heath issues. There are also many severe illnesses that result from consuming non- edible substances. Another dangerous aspect of NS-RED includes accidents that can occur while in the midst of an episode: knife cuts, burns from cookware and appliances, and the setting of fires that injure or take lives.
Fortunately, NS-RED sufferers can seek treatment and overcome the disorder. Getting evaluated by a sleep disorder center that can monitor brain activity during sleep and provide analysis is important. This can help in the diagnosis of sleep disorders that may be contributing factors. Often antidepressants are prescribed and provide significant benefit. However, sleeping pills should be avoided, because they can increase confusion and clumsiness and make one even more vulnerable to injury. Finally, a psychotherapist with expertise in the treatment of eating disorders is an essential part of treatment. Usually, the psychological issues surrounding eating behaviors need to be analyzed and resolved before recovery is achieved.
If you are someone you love is suffering from NS-RED contact Maureen Kritzer-Lange Psychotherapy at info@maureenkritzerlange.com, or phone (973) 313-1691.
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