What is Binge Eating?
Today we are going to talk about binge eating disorder. What is it? How is it defined? And what are do we do about it? First of all I want to mention that binge eating disorder is not a choice. It does NOT mean you have a lack of willpower or that you are a failure. If you are reading this and feel out of control with food, disappointed in yourself and hopeless about ever having a positive relationship with food or your body - YOU ARE NOT ALONE. There is hope.
BED is a diagnosable disorder in the DSM-V (the bible of mental health disorders), and the most widely diagnosed eating disorder above anorexia nervosa and bulimia. According to the Binge Eating Disorder Association an estimated 3.5% of women, 2% of men and 30% to 40% of those seeking weight loss treatments can be clinically diagnosed with BED.
Symptoms of BED include:
Eating large quantities of food in a discrete period of time (2 hours)
Feeling a lack of control regarding what or how much one is eating
Eating more rapidly than normal
Eating until feeling uncomfortably full
Eating when not physically hungry
Eating alone because feeling embarrassed, guilty or shameful
Binge eating occurs at least once a week and has been occurring for 3 months
Anxiety & depression symptoms
Frequent DIETING possibly without weight loss
Causes and Risk Factors for BED Include:
Genetics
Dieting/restrictive or irregular eating patterns
History of significant weight changes
Chronic dieting
Depression, anxiety, other mood disorders, including bi-polar disorder
Experiences of weight stigma, weight-related discrimination, or bullying
Problems with family or other significant relationships
Significant trauma/loss experiences
Emotional/physical abuse or neglect
Addictions to drugs/alcohol
Sexual trauma
Treatment for BED:
The best form of treatment is THERAPY: individual therapy, group therapy even couples therapy.
I want to highlight the last symptom of "frequent dieting without weight loss." Those who have struggled with body image, food or weight issues are more likely to struggle with BED. It is important to remember binging will likely occur to some degree when food has been restricted. If no foods are mentally or physically restricted from your diet or your life there is not going to be any place for binging because all foods are available. I understand it may feel very scary to consider allowing ALL foods back into your life freely. This is an extremely difficult process to understand and go through on your own. Treatment for any eating disorder takes time. If you aren’t sure how to stop restricting foods I would highly recommend getting help from a therapist. You absolutely do not have to do this alone and going to therapy is going to allow you to feel seen and heard bringing relief and healing.
Eating struggles, your relationship with food, a history of trauma, a history of dieting, and other issues can cause BED to be present in your life to some degree. I want to pass on some encouragement...there can be another way. You can heal your relationship with food and your body once and for all!
If you are interested in learning more about the treatment process or how therapy could help you and your relationship with your body and with food let us know. This is a completely safe, loving, and accepting space for you and whatever you are going through.
In Health,
Chelsea
Encounter Counseling offers in-person counseling in Grand Junction and online counseling state-wide in Colorado including Denver, Boulder, Ft. Collins and Colorado Springs.
Sources: https://bedaonline.com/
