How to recognise the signs of binge eating
Binge eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly engaging in compensatory behaviors (purging) like those with bulimia nervosa. BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines binge eating as eating, in a discrete period of time (within any 2-hour period), an amount of food that is definitely larger than what most people would eat in a similar period of time under similar circumstances. And, while feeling a lack of control over eating during the episode.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, about 3.5% of women, 2% of men, and 1.6% of adolescents in the U.S. suffer from BED.
While there are a number of hypotheses as to what causes BED, there is no one “cause” of the disorder. However, there are a number of risk factors that have been associated with the development of BED, including:
Genetic predisposition: Eating disorders are often seen to run in families, suggesting that there may be a genetic predisposition for developing an eating disorder.
Psychological factors: People with BED often have a history of dieting, which has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of BED. In addition, people with BED often have a history of trauma or abuse, which can contribute to the development of the disorder.
Socio-cultural factors: The pressure to be thin, as well as the promotion of dieting and weight-loss, has been linked to the development of BED. In addition, people who are exposed to images of thin people are more likely to develop eating disorders.
Biological factors: There is evidence to suggest that people with BED have a dysregulation of neurotransmitters, which can contribute to the development of the disorder. In addition, people with BED often have a history of dieting, which can lead to a change in metabolism, which can also contribute to the development of BED.
Signs and symptoms
The following are some of the signs and symptoms that may be associated with BED:
Eating large quantities of food, often very quickly and to the point of discomfort
Feeling a loss of control over eating during the episode
Experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards
Not regularly engaging in compensatory behaviors (purging) like those with bulimia nervosa
Eating when not physically hungry
Eating to the point of feeling uncomfortably full
Eating alone because of feeling embarrassed by how much one is eating
Feeling depressed, disgusted, or guilty after eating
Recent weight gain
History of dieting
Body dissatisfaction
Engaging in binge eating episodes at least once a week for 3 months
If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of the above signs and symptoms, it is important to seek professional help. Binge eating disorder is a serious disorder that can have a number of negative consequences on one’s physical and mental health..View it
How to overcome the urge to binge eat
When it comes to overcoming the urge to binge eat, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on the person, the techniques that work best may vary. However, there are some general tips that can help to control binge eating urges.
One of the most important things to do is to become aware of the triggers that lead to binge eating. This can be different for everyone, but common triggers include certain emotions (like boredom, sadness, or Anger), being around certain people or places (like the kitchen), or specific times of day (like after work). Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to plan ahead to avoid them.
Another helpful tip is to make sure you are eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day. This will help to keep your hunger levels in check and make it less likely that you will feel the need to binge eat. It is also important to make sure you are getting enough sleep and exercise, as both of these can impact your appetite and energy levels.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you are about to binge eat, there are some things you can do to try and stop yourself. Firstly, try to distract yourself with something else. This could be reading, watching a film, or talking to a friend. If you can’t do this, then try to eat something healthy first, like a piece of fruit or some nuts. This may help to take the edge off your hunger and make it less likely that you will binge eat.
If you have been binge eating, then it is important to forgive yourself and start again. Binge eating can be a difficult habit to break, but it is important to remember that everyone makes slips sometimes. The most important thing is to learn from your mistakes and to try and Avoid the triggers that led to the binge eating in the first place.
Visit mengeredstoo.co.uk to learn more about how to stop binge eating. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.