Sleep eating disorders in psychology are different from "nocturnal eating syndrome" in one main way: nocturnal eating syndrome involves full recall the following day of eating in the night. It's an eating syndrome that is connected with insomnia. In contrast, sleep eating disorders appear not to be related to insomnia, though they involve eating in the night.
Sleep eaters are becoming more common, and sleep eating disorders are more researched all the time.
If you have a sleep eating disorder, you may not remember eating in the night – but there's evidence on your pillow, face, bed, and kitchen. Or you're aware you're sleep-eating but can't stop yourself. You're not hungry; you're driven not just to eat but sometimes even cook full meals in the middle of the night.
According to Carlos H. Schenck, M.D. in his book Sleep: The Mysteries, The Problems, and the Solutions sleep-eaters make up 2-3% of the US population. More specifically, 1% struggles with sleep-related eating disorder and another 1-2% have night-eating syndrome. Sleep eating disorders affect many people.
Donna's Sleep Eating Disorder
"It's the most frustrating, defeating feeling to know that you've done it again. It's almost like an addiction…I'd wake up with piles of wrappers in bed; chocolate melted on my face, on my sheets and pillowcases, in the pockets of my robe; peanuts in my mouth…it's a horrible feeling to way up and know you couldn't stop yourself." – Donna (excerpted from Schenck's book).
Sleep eating disorders make you feel you're out of control.
Characteristics of Sleep Eating Disorders in Psychology
- Involuntarily getting out of bed and raiding the fridge or cupboards (sleep-eating).
- Varying levels of consciousness during sleep-eating.
- Varying levels of recall the next day.
- Many eating binges during one night, or one binge every few nights. Variable, depending on the sleep eating disorder.
- No feelings of hunger, thirst, or pain. Eating in the night isn't often painful.
- Strange combinations of food: raw meat or condiments like ketchup or canola oil, and nonfoods like soap, handcream and buttered cigarettes! Comfort foods aren't always part of sleep eating disorders.
- Complex food preparation such as slicing, dicing, and even cooking.
- Evidence in the kitchen and bedroom the next day after a sleep eating binge.
- No alcohol consumption for most people who eat in the night.
- Few instances of smoking during sleep-eating. Sleep eating disorders usually involve food (not cigarettes or alcohol).
People at Risk for Sleep Eating Disorder Have:
- A family history of sleep disorders, night terrors, sleepwalking and sleep eating disorders.
- Personal history of eating disorders.
- Quit smoking, taking drugs, or abusing alcohol. Sleep eaters may be stressed.
- Experienced extreme stress (sleep eating often starts during stress, but may not abate after the initial period of stress is over).
- Taken tricyclic antidepressants or other medications. Sleep eating disorders may be triggered by medication.
Researchers Are Learning More About Sleep Eating Disorders
Sleep eating disorders tend to have a gradual onset. Of the reported cases of sleep-eaters, 75% are women and the average age is mid-20's.
If you wake up in the morning confronted with the evidence of food or eating at night, you're not alone! Sleep eating disorders are becoming more common. Sleep-eaters are now researched and studied. Carlos H. Schenck's book Sleep: The Mysteries, The Problems, and the Solutions is an excellent introduction to sleep eating disorders, sleep eating, and nocturnal eating syndrome.
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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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