Although many of us are aware of disordered eating, we tend to misunderstand the conditions. For instance, there’s a common misconception that women are the only ones who can have disordered eating, but many men struggle as well. Another misconception is that the primary form of disordered eating comes from a lack of eating rather than overeating. Here at the Santé Center for Healing, we understand that one of the best ways to improve your health and the health of a loved one is through education. Learning what is involved in binge disordered eating can help individuals to find the treatment they need to heal and recover. Contact us at 866.238.3154 to learn more about binge disordered eating.
What Is Binge Disordered Eating?
Binge disordered eating (BED) is a form of disordered eating characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food in a short amount of time, often accompanied by feelings of shame, guilt, and distress. People with BED will often eat until they are uncomfortably full and may feel a lack of control over their eating behavior. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge eating episodes are not followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging or excessive exercise. BED is a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder that can lead to long-term physical health problems, including an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and heart disease. Those most at risk for developing binge disordered eating include:
- People who have obesity
- People aged 18-34, though it can affect older people as well
- People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
- People with previous trauma regarding food, weight, or appearance
- People with a family history of binge disordered eating
Binge eating can cause psychological distress and can lead to addiction, as binge eaters may become dependent on food for comfort. It is important to seek treatment for binge disordered eating in order to avoid the potential health risks associated with it. Treatment options include therapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle modifications. Taking steps towards recovery can help binge eaters overcome their struggles and move towards a healthier lifestyle.
Do I Have Binge Disordered Eating?
It’s normal for people to overeat now and then, but binge disordered eating is an addiction. Individuals who binge are unable to moderate their consumption. Some of the common symptoms of binge disordered eating include the following:
- Feeling as though your eating is out of your control
- Eating quickly during binge episodes
- Eating when you’re not hungry or full
- Regularly eating alone or in secret
- Feeling depressed, ashamed, or guilty about your eating
Along with disordered eating, you may also struggle with depression as well as anxiety about your eating. It is common for people with a binge disordered eating to feel anxious about when they can eat next or if people know how much they eat. This is why it’s important to seek the help of a mental health dual diagnosis treatment center.
What Helps Binge Disordered Eating?
If you are struggling with binge disordered eating, mental health services can help, and it starts with an evaluation. It is important to work with licensed professionals because you may be struggling with other issues like trauma or depression. Much like the disease of addiction, there is often a cause as to why a person is struggling with overeating. Once you go through an assessment, you can begin treatment and work on overcoming your struggles. Working with a therapist in an individual setting gives you a safe place to discuss your past and understand why you binge eat. A therapist can provide you with a new perspective as well as coping skills to begin living a better life. The other benefit of going to treatment is group therapy, which helps you see that you’re not alone and that you have additional support.
Beginning Your Recovery Journey at Santé Center for Healing
Santé Center for Healing helps people with disordered eating as well as other addictions. We provide all of the levels of care that you’ll need to have the best chances of recovery without relapse. Some of the methods we use include the following:
Don’t keep asking yourself, “do I have a binge disordered eating?” Get the treatment you need today from a treatment center. To learn more about how we can help, call Santé Center for Healing today at 866.238.3154. You can also fill out our online contact form and let us get back to you.
