When it comes to eating, there are various mental health disorders surrounding it. One such eating disorder is binge eating.
In this post, we will look at what it is and what you should do if you think you have it.
What is Binge Eating Disorder?
Binge eating involves consuming an amount of food that is overly excessive compared to what one usually eats.
Everyone binge eats on occasion. From eating too much at the buffet to a Thanksgiving meal, we are never going to eat just the right amount of food. Binge eating disorder is when you are overeating every day and you feel like you have no self-control.
You could consider it to be the opposite form of anorexia. Also, do not confuse binge eating with bulimia. Bulimia involves binge eating, but it also involves purging, where one vomits or uses laxatives to purge the food out of their bodies.
Is it Binge Eating Disorder?
The difference between someone with a binge eating disorder and someone who just has a big appetite can be a little confusing. There are differences between the two. Let’s look at some of the symptoms.
- Someone with binge eating disorder has an eating session that is quite specific. Sometimes, it can go as long as two hours.
- A person who binge eats will eat until they are excessively full. They may even eat when they are full as well.
- The person who binge eats may feel guilt about what they are doing. They may realize they have a problem, but don’t know how to help themselves.
Why Does it Happen?
Like most eating disorders, binge eating disorder can have various causes.
Sometimes, genetics play a part. Gender plays a part, too. While men can get eating disorders, it’s more common in women. For some people, binge eating disorder is a result of trauma.
Finally, food can be addictive. You may see food as a reward, and you cannot help yourself whenever you are eating.
Whatever the cause, it is something that needs to be addressed.
It’s Not Good for Your Body
As you probably know, binge eating all the time can hurt your body. If you are binge eating, it is tough to exercise it off unless you have a metabolism that’s incredibly fast. Therefore, you may see massive weight gain.
This can lead to body issues, and if it keeps going on, it can increase your chances of diabetes, heart issues, and other fatal health effects.
Not to mention, you may develop depression due to poor body image and you feeling guilty of eating too much. One symptom of depression can be overeating, so this is a cycle that literally feeds into itself.
Also, you will have to spend more money on food. This can lead to financial difficulties, especially if you like fast food.
Treatment
Binge eating disorder is something you should seek help for ASAP. Do not put it off if you suspect that you have it. With that said, how do you treat it? Here are some ways.
Therapy
First, it is important for you to seek help through therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, can be a valuable first step towards treatment.
CBT explores the relationship between your thoughts and your actions. Binge eating may be triggered by thoughts of hunger, and this can lead you to eating. Learning to break the habit is important.
Listing and avoiding triggers is also essential. If you’re binge eating, certain smells, sights, or thoughts may trigger you wanting to eat.
A therapist may help you create a diet plan and a routine that can help you with your binge eating.
Also, mindfulness may be another treatment. Being aware of the present and eating mindfully could help quite a bit.
Another treatment may be to replace the foods in your house with something healthier. For example, should you have an episode, you may munch on some air-popped popcorn instead of potato chips. That way, you feel less guilty and this can reduce your chances of relapsing.
Medicine
In some cases, medication could help you as well. Antidepressants may be one solution if you developed that during your eating sessions. Usually, medicine is prescribed alongside therapy, helping you to eliminate the cause while managing the symptoms.
Get Diagnosed
If you or a loved one possibly has a binge eating disorder, it’s important to get diagnosed ASAP. This can help you on your path to treatment.
Of course, it can sometimes be hard to leave your house. One way you can determine if you have a binge eating disorder or not is to visit Mind Diagnostics. Click the link below in order to see if you may have an eating disorder.
https://www.mind-diagnostics.org/blog/binge-eating-disorder
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