Night-time eating can be associated with several ailments. It can accompany bulimia or binge eating disorder(BED). It can also occur alone, as night eating syndrome (NES - night sleeping syndrome). So simply identifying exactly which disorder is affecting us requires expertise. It is also important to establish whether the problem is chronic or whether we associate it with a particular stressful event Sometimes, when experiencing difficulties such as job loss or a break-up, we tend to 'eat up' our problems. It is therefore important to observe whether, once the difficulty has subsided, the problem has disappeared or whether we continue to spend our nights in its company. For while a short period of trouble sleeping or a few boxes of ice-cream eaten is not the end of the world, in the long term such occurrences can have serious consequences.

If the problem is chronic, do not wait to see a specialist. Especially if you are experiencing additional burdens such as anxiety, lowered mood, trouble concentrating or guilt due to night-time overeating episodes. It is important to know that taking widely available sedatives or sleeping pills (which are often used by patients with similar difficulties) will not solve the problem. A visit to your PC doctor may be enough to start. If you do not get help there, it is worth visiting a sleep disorder clinic or psychiatric surgery, where your problem will certainly be properly diagnosed. Remember that nocturnal overeating is a type of disorder and, like other illnesses, it should not be a reason for shame or blame. It is important to seek help and not leave the problem alone - it is not worth it!