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Mental Health Care for NES

This can adversely affect the body of the affected. The episodes themselves are extremely distressing, and they affect functioning on a significant level. Concentration, attention, and mood are disrupted because of the lackluster sleep cycle. It can also increase the chances of depression and other anxiety-related disorders.

The treatment often requires combination therapy, a change in diet, and medication. It is essential to consult a therapist who can evaluate the cause behind your condition. They can also diagnose any other health complication resulting from this syndrome. Accordingly, they will recommend a treatment plan.

Major Causes

It is often a result of an interplay of several causes. Some of these are:

• Genetics: It is one of the leading causes of NES. A genetic link is often seen in many other eating disorders as well. A family history of this or obesity increases your chance of getting this syndrome.
• Circadian Rhythm: Circadian rhythm is the body's internal clock. It synchronizes meal patterns and sleeps with each other. When this clock fails to synchronize, your body might not be in control of the feelings of tiredness and hunger.
• Psychological Disorder: Some studies suggest a link between trauma and this disorder. Other psychological disorders like anxiety, depression, and stress are likely causes.
• Lower Levels of Leptin: Usually, when we sleep, the levels of appetite-related hormones in our body changes. This change in levels keeps us full at night. People who are night eaters may have lower levels of leptin. This hormone is responsible for making us feel full. Lower levels mean hunger pangs that can disturb the sleep schedule.
• Cushing Syndrome: This condition is related to the excess presence of cortisol in our bodies. This hormone regulates stress and metabolism. Too much cortisol leads to a feeling of fatigue, weight gain, and mood swings.
• Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle factors like daytime dieting, sleeping till late in the morning, and late-night shifts may result in fewer calories during the daytime. These factors also disrupt a healthy sleep cycle and meal timings.
• Sleep Patterns: Individuals who are sleep deprived are more likely to experience untimely hunger and cravings. Irregular sleep patterns or insufficient sleep can increase your chances of being a night eater.
• Guilt and Shame: Some people feel guilty about overeating. They might restrict their calories and food intake during day time. This causes hunger pangs at night, and they feel a sense of privacy at late hours, where they can eat without shame.

Common Signs

People with NES exhibit multiple signs and symptoms. Some of these signs may be similar to those of other eating disorders like binge eating disorder or bulimia. They are as follows:

• Nocturnal Ingestion: This is the most common and visible sign. People affected by this consume at least 25% of their calorie intake after initiating sleep. They might have trouble falling asleep without food intake late in the night. This could occur multiple times a week. Nocturnal ingestion can also cause weight gain and obesity.
• Tiredness and Fatigue: This is a by-product of disrupted sleep. The patient feels tired during the day. They may even experience excessive sleepiness during the morning hours.
• Craving for certain food groups: Patients of this condition often crave carbohydrate-rich food or food with high sugar levels. Food items could include pasta, bread, cereal, etc. The craving could happen at both night hours and daytime.

Other signs could be decreased appetite for breakfast, depression, and anxiety, particularly at night. Daily functioning and efficiency also take a hit during night eating episodes. Also, as individuals tend to remember these episodes, it brings a lot of distress and negative feelings.

Risk Factors

The following factors increase the chances of you getting diagnosed with this disorder:

• Staying awake till late or waking up late
• Skipping meals during the day
• Family history of eating disorder
• Family history of obesity
• Working on night shifts
• Insomnia
• Substance abuse
• Other psychiatric disorders
• Depression
• High cholesterol
• Sleep apnea
• Restless leg syndrome
• Smoking
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Anxiety
• Daytime dieting
• Hormonal imbalance
• Traumatic events such as abuse or combat
• Seasonal affective disorder

Complications and Health Problems

Disrupted sleep and nocturnal ingestion can severely affect your mental and physical well-being. Not only is your body clock getting messed up, but you are also not getting enough rest. Sleep deprivation can affect your day-to-day functioning. Also, eating just before bedtime or waking up to eat can cause health concerns. Some of them are:

• Obesity and other eating disorders
• Poor quality sleep or less sleep overall
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Cerebral ischemia

If the patient is already suffering from any chronic disease, the condition can worsen. Some studies also suggest that people with NES are more likely to develop cancer. More research is being done to validate that claim.

Other than health issues, this can cause social and personal problems for the affected individual. These are:

• Difficulty to participate in everyday social activities
• Isolation and loneliness
• Negatively impact work and performance
• Tough to focus and concentrate
• Maintaining a regular sleep and meal schedule

How to Deal With Your Symptoms

Once you get in the habit of that late-night snacking, it can be hard to get things back on track. As you continue with your treatment, the following tips can help you control the urges to binge at late hours:

• Regular Exercise: Regular physical activities and work will ensure that the body gets tired by night and demands rest. Also, as you exercise, you consume energy, and your body requires timely replenishment.
• Good Sleep Hygiene: Put your phone and other electronic gadgets away one hour before sleep. Make sure the bedroom has a comfortable temperature. And most importantly, try to build a sleep schedule. Going to sleep at the same time every day may be challenging initially, but as you follow this, your body's clock will adjust to your routine.
• Nutritional Food: Build a diet of healthy and nutritional foods that keep you full for a long time. Avoid too much sugar and fats, which may increase your late-night cravings.
• Set Obstacles: Keep easy-to-snack food and other food items in a locked cupboard. Give the key to a family member. Initially, you might find it hard to sleep without eating at odd hours, but soon it will get used to it. It will automatically compensate by consuming more at mealtimes as the option for late-night munching becomes unavailable.

Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You

There are no specific treatments for NES. A healthcare professional will study your symptoms, eating, and behavioral patterns. Accordingly, they will recommend a treatment plan combining therapy and medication.

Antidepressants like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to have helped. Sleep medication like zolpidem may also be used. Melatonin supplements may also be recommended to help regulate your sleep. These medications can have side effects, and the need for them depends on the symptoms and other factors. Only consume them under the supervision of your healthcare provider.

Additionally, the different types of therapy that a psychologist might suggest are:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: This will focus on disconnecting the link between eating as a necessary requirement for falling asleep. Patients work on controlling their impulses to binge before sleeping. Therapy may also include lifestyle changes like regular exercise and sleep hygiene, as mentioned above.
• Bright Light Therapy: Also called phototherapy, this works on increasing serotonin levels which can potentially help with insomnia and other symptoms.

Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today

Are your midnight cravings affecting your day-to-day life? Is a disruption in sleep causing a lack of focus and other problems in personal and professional life? Schedule an appointment with our counselors to get help. Our experienced therapists are here to help and guide you through the process.

Get answers to all your doubts and entrust them with a treatment plan that suits you best. Say hello to a good night's sleep and sayonara to those late-night hunger pangs.

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