Binge eating disorder onset by unusual parasitic intestinal disease: a case-report

Abstract

We report a case of binge eating disorder (BED) in a 19-year-old Spanish woman, whose onset followed a nowadays uncommon parasitic intestinal disease (Taenia solium by cysticercosis). The patient exhibited bizarre and frequent hyperphagia episodes and extreme loss of weight, common symptoms of this condition. The patient continued to have frequent binge episodes and inappropriate eating patterns, gaining weight consequently over a normal range, despite successful treatment of the condition. No purging behavior was detected. A classical conditioning behavioral model, was useful for the understanding and formulation of this case. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case where a parasitic infestation triggered the onset of BED.