Symptom 5: Mood Disorders
It’s often said that the gut acts as our second brain. Recent scientific findings back this by elucidating the complex dialogue between the gut and the brain. Within this framework, the way we eat, particularly the timing, can have profound effects on our mood. For those with Night Eating Syndrome (NES), the altered eating pattern, notably the nocturnal binges, may directly and indirectly disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, heavily involved in mood regulation, also play a role in appetite control. The way these chemicals are produced and used by our brain can be significantly affected by our diet and eating patterns.
Delving deeper into the psyche of someone dealing with NES, one can’t overlook the weight of emotions that come post a nighttime binge. Just as dawn breaks, revealing everything in its fresh light, the earlier actions under the cover of darkness become starkly evident. This realization often comes with an overwhelming sense of guilt, regret, and sometimes even self-loathing. Each episode of nighttime eating, followed by this cascade of negative emotions, can further entrench a person in a depressive or anxious state.
Adding to the emotional mix is the sense of isolation. Night Eating Syndrome, by its very nature, is a solitary affliction. As the world sleeps, the individual grapples with their urges in solitude. Over time, this can translate to feelings of loneliness, of being out of sync with the world. The night becomes a period of struggle, and the day, a time of masking and recovery. This dichotomy can strain personal relationships and lead to social withdrawal, further exacerbating mood disorders.
For many, anxiety acts as both the trigger and the outcome. The anxiety of upcoming nighttime cravings can be palpable as evening approaches. This anticipatory anxiety can itself set the stage for a binge. Post the episode, the same anxiety morphs into reflection and self-reproach, trapping the individual in a vicious cycle where anxiety feeds NES and vice versa. (5)
