The Best Bed For BED

With most medical professionals recommending six to nine hours of restful sleep daily, it’s important to consider factors like spinal support and body weight distribution when selecting the right mattress. Often, these considerations can help narrow down the best bed options for different sleep positions, allowing you to get better rest and improve overall health.

While BED can affect people of all ages and genders, it is more common among women than men (3.6%), possibly due to genetic vulnerabilities that may be inherited and other biological components (1, 2) — although it is not clear exactly what causes it (3, 4). Many people with BED also have other psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression. BED is also associated with a number of medical and metabolic problems, and it can increase the risk for future weight gain (5, 6).

Symptoms of BED include episodes of uncontrolled eating, which may be followed by feelings of guilt, shame, and distress, and can result in bingeing on foods that are high in calories, fat, and sugar (although not always) (6, 7). In some cases, these symptoms can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels, which can cause severe headaches and nausea (8, 9).

The diagnosis of BED involves a thorough evaluation by a trained mental health professional who is specially trained in evaluating and treating this disorder (10, 11). The first step in treatment for BED includes an assessment of current symptoms to determine if they meet the criteria for a diagnosis (12). After a diagnosis has been made, psychological therapies can be used to treat the underlying emotions and beliefs that contribute to the condition (12, 13).

Yale Medicine Psychiatry is home to a research program called POWER that offers state-of-the-art psychological and behavioral treatments for BED. The team works closely with patients to help them overcome their eating disorder and achieve long-term recovery. Medications can be helpful in the treatment of BED and have been shown to be more effective than placebos in reducing binge-eating episodes (18). They can also reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety that may accompany or precede BED, which are frequently found in people with this condition (20).

While the mattress we reviewed isn’t firm enough for stomach or back sleepers, it could still work well for combination sleepers who switch between side and back positions throughout the night. The lumbar-focused support pad in the bottom layer of this mattress, which is made of high-density foam, helps keep your spine aligned and comfortable. The firm construction is also suitable for heavier-bodied people, as it provides stability and doesn’t sink in at the edges. The mattress doesn’t have a trial period, however, which can be a drawback for some buyers. Fortunately, the price tag is lower than some comparable beds and it’s available in multiple sizes. Read the full review.