[When eating becomes a disease - Binge-eating-disorder as comorbid eating disorder in obesity - Case 07/2009].

HISTORY AND ADMISSION FINDINGS: A 30-year-old obese female patient with binge eating behaviour, depressive symptoms and poorly regulated diabetes mellitus was admitted to the department of psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy

INVESTIGATIONS: The body mass index at time of admission was 38 kg/m(2). Fasting and postprandial blood glucose values were markedly increased. HbA(1c) level was 10.2%. Psychological diagnostic showed a binge eating disorder and a major depressive syndrome.

DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND COURSE: After diagnosis, the patient was treated within a psychosomatic concept considering psychotherapeutic and diabetological aspects, including exercises and nutrition. In course of the treatment, the binge eating ceased and connections between binge-eating and depressive symptoms on the one hand as well as life story and psychiological conflicts on the other hand could be drawn. The poorly regulated diabetes improved in parallel.

CONCLUSION

Given that overweight and obesity may be associated with somatic (e.g., diabetes mellitus) and psychic (e.g., eating disorder, depression) diseases, a respective screening and an interdisciplinary treatment are required.