BED or binge eating disorder is a psychological condition. Binge eating can consist of eating large amounts of food in one sitting, even if the individual is not hungry. Binge eating can cause shame, anxiety, and guilt surrounding the intake of food. Binge eating typically causes weight gain, which can lead to other health problems/conditions.
Eating disorders are considered a psychological disorder because they are not just about the intake or lack thereof of food. With binging, it typically surfaces because of a deeper psychological or emotional issue. Emotional distress greatly impacts one to binge eat. Individuals may experience relief, safety, or happiness only when consuming food.
Signs of binge eating disorder:
- Rapid eating patterns
- Eating after being full
- Sadness or shame
- Low self-esteem around food
- Eating large amounts when not hungry
- Lack of control around foods
- Anxiety/depression
- Weight gain
Binge eating can be caused by:
- Gender
- Genetics
- Body image
- Body size
- Psychological conditions
- Trauma
- Depression
- Anxiety
Tips to help:
When an individual focuses on a diet this can cause more binging because the limited amount of food or types of food. It is important to make healthy choices surrounding food and eat foods that are better for you that also make you happy.
- Eat important meals
Do not skip important meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Skipping meals can increase the want to binge eat. It also can raise blood sugar levels, which increases the risk of diabetes and heart problems. Create a regular and consistent schedule for eating.
It is important to learn to understand and listen to your body. Listening to your body helps to understand when to not eat or how much to eat. It can help us know when we are no longer hungry as well. You can learn to be more mindful with yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises.
- Organize your pantry
It is important to create healthy and tasty options and get rid of trigger foods. Many of us have trigger foods such as sweets or even salty foods. It can be helpful to have a clean and organized space that includes healthy food options that you find good. This does not mean you have to avoid all sugary or salty foods but be able to eat them on occasion instead of having them readily available to you.
How much rest we get can greatly affect how hungry we are and how much we want to eat. Lack of sleep can also cause weight gain. Create a sleep routine that best works for you.
- Journal your thoughts
Journaling your thoughts can help you understand what you eat and why, as well as triggers and your emotions surrounding foods. This can help you be more aware of what is causing the binging.
- Seek help from a therapist
Therapists that are experienced with working with eating disorders can greatly help you address binge eating. They can help you identify the behaviors surrounding the eating, what is causing them, and the skills necessary to face the binge eating. CBT, DBT, and talk therapy are some great options for addressing binge eating.
Binge eating can lead to many psychological and physical health conditions if left untreated. If you or a loved one may be experiencing signs of binge eating seek help or encourage your loved one to seek help.
Be mindful of how binge eating is affecting you and be willing to address it. Take the time to observe what is causing the binging, as well as your emotions surrounding it all. Therapy is a great tool for those who are facing challenges with binge eating.
Seek out a therapist that works well with you, who can help you identify your triggers and helps you identify the tools to overcome your patterns with eating. Therapy can provide you with a safe space to dig deeper into the root cause of why you are binge eating.
