Andrea Simpson Suffers From Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)

Andrea Simpson suffers from Binge-Eating Disorder (BED), 307.51. There are several things about her case that make this clear. She has had periods of time in her life when she ate a great deal of food in a short time and she states that she would eat until she was uncomfortably full. When she was in college she never felt out of control during a binge—she always believed she would stop when she finished the piece of food she was eating. However, she reports that this seldom happened, and that usually she would continue eating, which indicates a lack of control. In subsequent years she states that she did feel out of control and desperate about her inability to stop eating. In addition, she reports she has always been either a normal weight
That said it will be important to offer medication as an option to this client, and should she feel strongly that she want to try that as a first line of treatment, I would need to defer to her need for autonomy in this regard (and all others). As stated before, it is unclear what cultural factors may be at play in this case. I would want more background prior to creating a treatment plan with this client. Additionally, I would want information about what other kinds of treatment she has had in the past to try and address her binge eating. Section A.1.c. in the APA code of ethics directly addresses the need to work with the client on a treatment plan that both are comfortable with.
Depending on how intake and assessment went with this client, it might make sense to refer her to a clinician who specialized in treating people with eating disorders, as they might be of more help to her. If I felt that what she needed to recover was outside the scope of my expertise, then I would be remiss if I did not refer her out. Section E of the APA code of ethics touches on issues of assessment, and sections E.3.a., E.5.a., and E.5.b. are particularly relevant to assessment