Medical professionals are also polarized on the question of whether binge eating disorder is a disease at all. BED was only officially recognized in 2013 in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, also known as the DSM-5. It is characterized by the following criteria:"I feared it would be a backdoor excuse for drug companies to promote stimulant diet pills."
Recurrent and persistent episodes of binge eating
Binge eating episodes are associated with three (or more) of the following:
-Eating much more rapidly than normal
-Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
-Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry
-Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating
-Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating
Marked distress regarding binge eating
Absence of regular compensatory behaviors (such as purging).
Pro-anorexia (also called "ana") communities online that trade in eating disorder tips and tricks have a wide range of conversations about Vyvanse and other stimulants, ranging from how they were prescribed it, to how it compares to Adderall at killing appetite and how to prevent dependence. "Vyvanse= adderall but better, and a smoother ride, in my opinion," one user wrote on the forum myproana.com. "I just get it from a friend. Mainly because it will allow me to go days without eating without even feeling hungry or feeling hunger pangs."Taking too much Vyvanse on an empty stomach causes nausea, the user continued, and "I will become super overtired because I'll be up for more than 24 hours at a time." This prompted a long discussion about using Vyvanse for weight loss, addiction, and side effects.Jamie noted that working in the fashion industry has exposed her to many colleagues asking about getting Vyvanse to lose weight. She hopes, however, that the addiction profile screening she had to go through to get her prescription will stop the drug from getting into the wrong hands.A binge-eating disorder diagnosis relies on self-reported behaviors
One section reads, "Binge Eating Disorder (B.E.D.) is a relatively new distinct disorder. So some health care providers may be thinking about more common issues. Don't be discouraged." The text continues, "If you still feel your concerns weren't addressed, don't give up. Health care providers are accustomed to being asked for referrals. Don't be afraid to ask for a referral to a doctor or other health care professional who specializes in eating disorders." Under the mantle of empowering patients, Shire essentially encourages them to shop for doctors until they can get the diagnosis they want. A disclaimer on the site reads, "While Shire US Inc. makes reasonable efforts to include accurate, up-to-date information on the site, Shire US Inc. makes no warranties or representations as to its accuracy. Shire US Inc. assumes no liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the site."Our culture's disdain for people whose bodies do not fit strict guidelines makes it difficult to identify truly pathological eating behaviors