Eating while sleeping is one of those rare but real eating disorders. Sleep eating disorder in psychology is still being researched - but sleep disorder treatments can help!
Carlos H. Schenck, M.D. wrote the book Sleep: The Mysteries, The Problems, and the Solutions about sleep eating disorders, sleep eaters, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleep eating – and much more. It's a fantastic resource, especially for information about sleep eating disorders.
What is Sleep Eating Disorder?
People who struggle with sleep eating disorders may not remember their eating binge the day after. They don't know they were eating while sleeping. The evidence is on the pillow, face, bed, and in the kitchen. Some sleep eaters may be aware they're sleep-eating but can't stop themselves. They're not hungry; some sleep eaters are driven to eat strange combinations of foods like salt or sugar sandwiches, raw meat, mayonnaise or even nonfoods such as dog food, soap or hand cream.
Consequences of Eating While Sleeping
- Weight gain. Almost half of Dr. Schenck's sleep-eaters are obese because they tend to eat foods like brownies, cakes, and ice cream. Since they're eating while sleeping, they're not counting calories.
- Limited weight loss. Even when they diet, sleep-eaters struggle with weight loss. When they're eating while sleeping, they're counteracting the effects of exercise while they're awake.
- Embarrassment. Living with roommates, partners, and even family members can feel awkward to sleep-eaters, especially when the frozen pizza has bites out of it or they wake up with chocolate all over their face and pillow. Eating while sleeping can be embarrassing.
- Shame. The loss of control, or eating while sleeping, can induce feelings of shame or guilt in sleep-eaters.
- Exposure to food allergies. When they're eating while sleeping, sleep-eaters don't consider their food allergies.
- Risk of injury. Sleep-eaters could fall down the stairs, choke on food, or burn or cut themselves while cooking.
- Dental complications. Tooth decay and damage can occur when they're eating while sleeping.
- Medication complications. Some prescription medications require certain foods be eliminated from the diet – which a sleep-eater won't consider during an episode. When they're eating while sleeping, they're not thinking about their medications or health.
- Daytime fatigue. Because of the interrupted sleep, sleep-eaters may not feel refreshed or lively in the morning! Eating while sleeping disrupts sleep.
Ineffective Treatments for Sleep Eating Disorders
Dr. Schenck reported that biofeedback, acupuncture, self-hypnosis, hypnotherapy, and psychotherapy all had NO benefit in the cases he's studied. Sleep-eaters don't tend to responde to those treatments.
Some sleep-eaters tried locking their fridges, but they sustained injuries from breaking the locks when they were eating while sleeping. Other sleep-eaters put notes on their fridges, such as, "Don't eat, you pig!" in an effort to jolt them out of eating while sleeping. Still other sleep-eaters asked family members to stop them, or punish themselves the next day by doing extra chores or undesirable tasks.
Effective Treatments for Eating While Sleeping
The treatment of choice for this type of sleeping disorder in psychology, according to Dr. Schenck, is Topamax or topiramate. It's a new anticonvulsive medication; the sleep doctor reported a success rate of about 66% for sleep-eaters after six months. His sleep-eaters reported more restful sleeps and weight loss, and less eating while sleeping. A possible side effect is a tingling sensation (paresthesias). Since this drug controls the eating but disrupts sleep, Dr. Schenck also prescribes mild doses of sleeping aids such as clonazepam or trazodone.
Getting Help With This Sleep Disorder in Psychology
People who struggle with persistent sleep eating disorders or eating while sleeping need to seek help from a sleep professional! Letting it go untreated not only reduces quality of life for sleep-eaters, it could also be life-threatening. As Dr Schenck states, there's nothing shameful about this disorder – and treatments can be very effective.
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Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
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