BINGE EATING DISORDER
HOW TO RECOVER FROM BINGE EATING DISORDER
Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder where a person frequently consumes large amounts of food in a short period of time. It is a common eating disorder in the United States and Canada, affecting a significant percentage of adults and teens.
Unlike normal eating behaviors, binge eating disorder consists of eating behavior that goes beyond typical eating patterns. It's a struggle to control these urges when you suffer from binge eating disorders. But unlike other eating disorders or disordered eating, binge eating disorder does not involve purging behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise.
After you binge eat, you often feel guilty, ashamed, or upset about your eating habits.
Binge eating and other eating disorders are not just about food—there are often deeper emotional issues involved, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. And learning the facts about binge eating disorder is important to understand how it affects your mind and body.
Anyone can develop binge eating disorder, regardless of age, gender, or background. Recognizing binge eating disorder as a serious condition is the first step to treat binge eating disorder.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BINGE EATING DISORDER?
The symptoms of binge eating disorder can vary, but there are some key signs to watch for.
People with this eating disorder often eat unusually large amounts of food in one sitting, even when they’re not physically hungry. You eat quickly during these binge eating episodes and feel like you can’t stop eating, even when you’re full.
TREATMENT FOR BINGE EATING DISORDER
Therapeutic approaches and interventions for binge eating disorder include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and pharmacological treatments.
Treatment for binge eating disorder may include a multi-disciplinary approach to address not only your eating habits but also the underlying emotional issues and health problems associated with eating disorders.
The nature of binge eating episodes and the psychological factors influencing these eating behaviors are crucial to understanding this eating disorder. The frequency of your eating disorder binge episodes is also an important factor in reaching a diagnosis.
Others may not notice your eating disorder at first because binge eating episodes often happen in secret.
Health Complications From Binge Eating
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In addition to emotional distress, binge eating disorder may lead to physical health problems like weight gain, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
While you can take a binge eating disorder test to help determine if you or someone you care about needs professional help, it's really best to seek out professional guidance at the outset, as many clients do not fit the exact diagnostic criteria. Regardless of the struggle or what test may or may not indicate, if it's impacting your life (or the life of someone you care about), recovery is important and Westwind Counselling is the appropriate treatment for all eating disorders, including disordered eating.
Understanding how to recover from mental disorders associated with binge eating disorder involves not only addressing your physical symptoms but also the emotional and mental health challenges that come with it.
Diagnosis Of Binge Eating Disorder
Diagnosing binge eating disorder is a crucial step in understanding and addressing the condition. It involves a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s eating habits, physical health, and mental well-being.
A mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, will typically conduct a thorough assessment to diagnose binge eating disorder and determine if an individual meets the diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, the evaluation process for binge eating disorder often begins with clinical interviews. During these interviews, the mental health professional will gather detailed information about the individual’s eating habits and risk factors, including the frequency and severity of binge eating episodes. They will also explore any associated emotional or psychological distress and common symptoms, such as feelings and negative emotions of guilt or shame after binge eating.
Further Testing For Binge Eating Disorders
In addition to interviews, standardized questionnaires and assessments, like the Binge Eating Scale or the Eating Disorder Examination, may be given to you. These tools help healthcare professionals to evaluate your eating habits and symptoms in more depth.
A physical examination is also an important part of the eating disorders evaluation process. This helps assess your overall health and identify any potential health complications related to binge eating disorder, such as weight gain or weight loss, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Laboratory tests, such as blood work or imaging studies, may be ordered to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to the disorder.
ONE OF THE MOST COMMON EATING DISORDERS
A diagnosis of binge eating disorder by a treatment team is typically made based on specific eating disorders criteria taken from the diagnostic and statistical manual. These include having recurring episodes of binge eating, characterized by consuming a large amount of food in a short period of time. Binge episodes are often accompanied by feelings of loss of control.
The episodes must occur at least once a week for at least three months. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge eating is not accompanied by regular use of compensatory behaviors such as purging or excessive exercise. The binge eating must also cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of normal life.
Understanding these diagnostic criteria and the evaluation process is essential for recognizing and addressing binge eating disorder effectively before you begin to experience serious side effects.
TREATMENT OF BINGE EATING DISORDER
Treating binge eating disorder (as well as other eating disorders) involves a multi-step approach that includes psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. The goal is to help you develop a healthier relationship with food, eating and your body, and to reduce the frequency and severity of binge eating episodes.
Psychotherapy To Help Binge Eating
Psychotherapy is often a cornerstone of treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely used approach that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with certain foods and binge eating disorder.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) focuses on improving relationships and communication skills, which can help individuals develop a more positive body image and reduce binge eating behaviors.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) combines CBT with mindfulness techniques to help individuals manage emotions and reduce binge eating behaviors.
Make Changes To Your Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes are another critical component of treatment for eating large amounts of food and once. Promoting nourishment and self-care practices involves eating regular, balanced meals and avoiding restrictive dieting.
Joyful movement can help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall physical and mental health. Stress management techniques, such as meditation or yoga, can also be beneficial in managing emotions and reducing binge eating behaviors.
It’s important to note that treatment for binge eating disorder is highly individualized. Working with a mental health professional and a registered dietitian at a professional place such as Westwind Counseling can help you develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique needs and goals. With the right support and resources, you can work towards a healthier relationship with food and yourself.
The Right Medications To Stop You Binge Eating
Medications can also play a role in treating binge eating disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), are commonly prescribed to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which are often associated with binge eating disorder and other eating disorders like bulimia nervosa.
WHERE TO GET HELP FOR BINGE EATING DISORDER
Recovering from binge eating disorder is possible, and there are many resources available to help dissect and treat the many factors that can lead individuals to develop binge eating disorder such as diabetes, painful childhood experiences, and genetic predisposition.
At Westwind Counselling, we provide support for individuals struggling with binge eating disorder. This disorder impacts individuals and their family members across all racial and ethnic groups.
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S., affecting millions of people across various demographics. Our counsellors work with you to explore the emotional factors behind your eating habits and develop healthier ways for you to cope.
Medications for binge eating disorder, like certain antidepressants, may be part of a treatment plan, but talk therapy and support are just as important.
In addition to counseling, it’s essential to have a strong support system from loved ones. Remember, taking the first step toward recovery is a sign of strength, and with the right help, you can work toward a healthier relationship with food and yourself. If you’re unsure where to begin, starting with a binge eating disorder test can help point you in the right direction to get the help you need.
Additional Resources
At Westwind Counselling, we offer a safe space where you can explore these issues and work toward a healthier relationship with food. Our experienced counsellors can help you develop a balanced approach to eating and address any underlying emotional challenges. Remember, getting help is a sign of strength, and taking the first step toward recovery can lead to a healthier, happier life.
Along with seeking help through Westwind Counselling, please free to check out the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) or the National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) for additional information, referrals and support to people in Canada affected by eating disorders. Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder is a serious condition, but recovery is possible with the right support.