Binge eating is often thought of as a sign of bulimia, but it is its own eating disorder and demands as much attention as any of the other more well-known eating disorders do. In essence, a binge eating disorder is the overindulgence of food. This food is typically unhealthy and full of addictive elements like fats, salts, and sugars.
The damage is two-fold. CCS Newcastle Gastric Procedures advises that eating to the point of feeling painfully full can result in gastric issues and weight gain. After eating, you may also feel guilty, upset, or even full of self-loathing.
What are the Signs of Binge Eating?Signs of binge eating include:
- Eating large amounts of food very quickly, resulting in overeating and difficulty digesting.
- Being secretive with your eating and not wanting others to find out.
- Eating and forcing yourself to eat even if you are not hungry.
- Feeling disgusted with yourself, depressed, or lethargic.
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How Can You Stop Binge Eating?
The issue with assuming that binge eating is something that is easy to stop is that it doesn’t acknowledge the underlying mental illness. Binge eating is an addiction and an illness. You use food to provide you comfort, but that comfort only lasts as long as you are eating. This encourages you to push your stomach and your eating efforts beyond what they should be. It’s a very unhealthy cycle to be in, and it is okay if you cannot break away from it on your own. Seeking out professional treatment is always the way to go.
Seek Out Professional Treatment
The best way to begin your rehabilitation is to seek out binge eating treatment from a recognized clinic. There, they will help by providing:
Therapy
Binge eating is a comfort action that makes you feel better in the moment, even if moments later, there are feelings of intense guilt and self-disgust. Though this certainly causes a spiral, it is important to understand that there may be an underlying cause. You might have taken up binge eating as an unhealthy coping mechanism and don’t yet understand or see the cause.
Therapy is key to help you understand your triggers and help you resolve them. It can help you understand the feelings you process, as well.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Unlike traditional therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy works to change the way that you think and feel about food. It is often very effective for those who have suffered from mental illness and found no respite in medications.
Medication
Antidepressants can be used during your therapy and possibly longer, especially if you suffer from multiple mental illnesses and need help regulating your chemical balance and moods.
Follow-Up with Support Groups
Support groups are phenomenal at providing those with mental illnesses and other disorders such as binge eating a place to feel safe and supported. You can learn tips and tricks to stay healthy from others who have gone through the same journey, and you can explain how you feel to a room full of people who have been there and are ready to listen.
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