Binge Eating Woman in Bathroom with Food

All of The Basics of Binge Eating

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Today, I want to share a post to help shed some light on an eating disorder that millions of people struggle with every day. In fact, it’s one of the most prevalent eating disorders in North America. You can likely guess from the title that the topic is the mysterious binge eating disorder or BED. What is binge eating disorder? Keep reading to find out.

What is Binge Eating Disorder?

Why do I call it mysterious, you ask? Because it’s hard to spot a binge eater. Binge eaters come in all shapes and sizes, and typically hide their behavior. They binge on any kind of food, even fruits, and vegetables.

In short, BED is a serious but treatable eating disorder, distinguished by out-of-control, repetitive episodes of overeating. This overeating is typically done quickly and to the point of discomfort. Unfortunately, eating one reasonably sized portion cannot stave off the need to binge, as it’s not a simple food craving. Binges are often followed by negative emotions, such as shame and regret.

There are different criteria for a binge eating disorder diagnosis. Generally, binge eating occurs:

  • At least 2 days a week for 6 months (DSM-IV frequency and duration criteria), or
  • At least 1 day a week for 3 months (DSM-5 frequency and duration criteria)

Binge eating episodes begin with an intense and almost undeniable urge. These urges stem from the part of your brain based on survival, usually called the lower brain. When the lower brain wants something, it will nag and throw tantrums, constantly creating a feeling of unrest in the mind. It’s exhausting to listen to and fight with. It will start to throw every excuse to binge your way, even if the excuses make no rational sense.

Eventually, you feel like there’s really no other choice but to give in. Your higher brain (the one that controls the show) makes some justification to agree. You give in and return to binging.

Complications of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating is expensive, time-consuming, and can damage your health. Common issues caused by binging are weight gain, anxiety, and depression. It encourages the sufferer to withdraw from friends and family. The weight gain can also give rise to other conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Binge eaters don’t feel satisfaction or joy when they finish overeating. Most of the time, they’re left with a feeling of self-loathing and even physical pain. Other times, they end up feeling totally numb.

Binge Eating Disorder Treatment

Like anything done for years, binging is a habit that’s formed and solidified in our brains. Another unhelpful thing the brain does (aside from making habits) is make change feel intolerable. Basically, you need to say no to binging to create a new habit, but it’s never easy.

Staying on autopilot seems to make the ride much smoother. Also, if you have a bad day or take on some negative emotions, the lower brain will always offer the quickest and easiest mood enhancer. So simple and effective, binging becomes the immediate reaction to cheer yourself up.

With this in mind, it’s possible to give up binge eating for good. Saying no to the urges will get easier over time if you approach them with the right mindset. They may never go away completely, but once you understand that you’re in charge, they will become manageable.

If necessary, a therapist can help you with binge eating disorder treatment by introducing cognitive-behavioral therapy or other methods.

Lastly, I’d like to take the chance to help prepare you for the next binge craving by making a recommendation:

WEIGHT LOSS FOR BINGE EATERS

Weight Loss for Binge Eaters Logo. Main course picture for Weight Loss for Binge Eaters mini-course. It features the title in bold white letters next to a picture of Ang. She's wearing a navy blue blouse and has long, wavy brown hair. She has her hand on her hip and is smiling. The background is a gradient between dark and medium blue-green. There is a yellow "on sale now" sign at the bottom with the price discounted from $97 to $27

Weight Loss for Binge Eaters

Weight Loss for Binge Eaters is a course designed to help you overcome your binge eating and lose weight in a way that promotes total wellness.

You’ll learn how to lose weight healthily, along with the most effective technique to stop binging for good.​

What You’ll Learn:

Stop Binge Eating

  • Eating trigger foods without binging on them.
  • Stopping your cravings to binge eat.
  • Comforting yourself without using food.
  • What to do if you binge.

Lose Weight

  • Eating in a way that promotes healthy, sustainable weight loss.
  • Making a weight loss plan you can actually stick to.
  • The best habits you should have for losing weight.

Live Well

  • Eating for your mental and physical well-being.
  • Getting in shape without hating your workouts.
  • Drop down to a healthy weight in a way that promotes total wellness.

Overcome Your Binge Eating and Reach Your Weight Loss Potential, Starting Today!

Don’t Have Time to Watch a Full Course? Check Out the eBook Version Here!

A Few Quick Tips for Binge Eaters:

  • Avoid unnecessary food restrictions. Dieting will make binge urges stronger and harder to ignore.
  • Get plenty of protein and fiber. These keep you feeling full longer.
  • Don’t label foods as “good” or “bad.” This will only deepen a poor relationship with food.
  • Stay mindful of your eating. When you know you’ve eaten enough, don’t act on the urge to continue. Later, record how you felt and what happened.
  • Are you binging due to stress? Focus on improving whatever stressful things you can.
  • Find activities you enjoy, and take time each day to do them. Realize eating is not the only way to soothe yourself.
  • Understand that you are worthy of recovery, but it will take some work.
  • Finally, if you’re having trouble stopping binge eating, seek professional help. There’s no need to go it alone!
“Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough.” – Josh Billings Click To Tweet

In Conclusion

Binge eating disorder is a common eating disorder that’s hard to identify. It’s defined by uncontrollable urges to eat large amounts of food in a short time. Binges often end with feelings of remorse and shame.

While it may seem impossible, through changes in habits and mindset, BED can be overcome. But there’s something you should keep in mind: It won’t be easy. Remind yourself it will be hard, but it will be worth it. Once you learn to eat trigger foods in small quantities and move on with regular healthy eating habits, it’ll get easier to ignore the urges. Undeniably, learning to say no will feel like a superpower.

If you have any stories about your battle with BED or binge eating disorder treatment, leave them in the comments. I would love to give you an outlet on here!

That’s it for now everyone. If you’ve found some value in this post, please share it to inspire others too! Thanks!

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