Night Eater Syndrome: causes, symptoms and treatment

The Eating Disorders (Eating Disorders) best known are the anorexy and the bulimia, but in recent years the possibility of including new disorders in the DSM is being considered (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).

One of them is the Night Eater Syndrome, which together with the Binge eating disorder (this 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 suffering from it eats a large amount of calories after dinner, even waking up at night to eat. During the morning, present morning anorexia, that is to say, he practically does not eat; and for the rest of the day, until nightfall, eat few calories. The Night Eater Syndrome (NES) causes serious health problems, so it is necessary to treat it as soon as possible.

Characteristics and symptoms of Night Eater Syndrome

In this disorder, the individual eats little throughout the day because heavy consumption occurs after night, with the consequence that it appears

overweight Y sleep disturbances.

Some data

The nutrition experts recommend that the daily intake should be divided into five meals. Breakfast and lunch should be strong meals, contributing between them 50-60% of the daily calorie consumption. The mid-morning "snack" and the afternoon snack should contribute 10-15% each and dinner 20%.

Individuals with Night Eater Syndrome can eat at least 50 percent of calories at night, causing a decompensation with respect to these recommendations.

Symptoms

The Night Eater Syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Morning anorexia: Individuals with NES eat little or no eating at breakfast.
• Nocturnal hyperphagia: They consume at least 25% of their daily calories after dinner. These foods are usually rich in carbohydrates (such as sweets, pastries, pasta or rice).
• Sleep disturbances: Suffer insomnia or they frequently wake up in the middle of the night to eat food at least three days a week.

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 own circadian rhythms that modulate various metabolic functions and psychological.

The high presence of cortisol during the night (but not during the day), the stress-related hormone, stands out, so one of the main causes would be the increase in nighttime stress.

Other studies, relate this disorder to environmental and sociocultural factors, as well as to a certain genetic predisposition. In addition, in some cases, the onset of this syndrome is related to anxiety disorders or depression, which can lead to an increase in food intake to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Treatment

The treatment of this pathology may require a multidisciplinary intervention with different professionals: dietician, endocrinologist and psychologist or psychiatrist.

The dietitian must design a diet according to the characteristics of the subject, the endocrinologist must monitor the hormonal characteristics of the subject. patient, and the psychologist will work on the aspects related to the feelings, emotions or beliefs and the well-being of the person with Eater Syndrome Night.

Regarding psychotherapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Mindfulness They can be of great help in helping the patient overcome the disorder. What's more, psychology can provide the patient with the tools to learn to face his problem and change his 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 InhibitorsSerotonin) have been shown to be effective for treatment.