Binge Eating Disorder: The Real Causes And How To Overcome It.

According to National Eating Disorder Association, Binge Eating Disorder is one of the most common eating disorders in the United States, affecting 30 million. It is a pattern of eating characterized by consuming large amounts of food in a short time period and feeling a loss of control over one's eating habits.

There is a vast difference between someone who overeats and someone who suffers from compulsive overeating. While the latter has a strong urge to eat, the former might just be trying to get rid of stress or boredom.

This article will explore what binge eating disorder is and who is most likely to have it. There are various treatments for binge eating because although the disease may not be curable, a therapist can help manage it with therapy.

What are the Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder?

The binge eating disorder usually starts during the teen years, but it can also begin in adulthood. In some cases, binge eating disorder might be caused by an underlying condition such as depression, anxiety, or more. Binge eating is often associated with obesity and weight gain because of the high-calorie intake and lack of physical activity that accompanies it. 

The most common type of binge eating is consuming excessive food rapidly over a short period of time with no control over the quantity consumed.

The main symptom is bingeing, which is typically done in secrecy and with an absence of guilt. Other symptoms include:

  • Physical hunger: Feeling hungry or constantly thinking about food

  • Emotional eating: Eating to soothe emotions such as boredom, sadness, stress, anger

  • Overeating: Eating more than intended and not feeling full or satisfied

  • Excessive weight: Having a BMI over 30 and either having gained weight or having lost weight unintentionally for at least six months

  • Feeling out of control when eating: Not being able to stop when beginning to eat or feeling.

Those with Binge Eating disorders will often experience extreme emotional stress related to their eating habits, weight, and shape. They may also suffer from feelings of unhappiness, distress, and self-hatred.

What Causes People to Binge Eat?

The most common reasons for binge eating are emotional stress, life events like breakups, and trauma. Binge eaters may feel like they are in control of the situation when they overeat. 

People often turn to binge eating as a way to combat boredom or loneliness, which can result in food addiction.

They also may feel that overeating is a way to cope with difficult emotions or distract themselves from complicated feelings.

 But there are other causes for binge eating, such as:

  • Genetics

  • Obesity 

  • Gender

  • Emotional trauma

  • Body size or image

  • Other psychological conditions.

In the time of the holiday season, people eat more food than they normally do. They eat out of stress or because it is a tradition. For some, it's about togetherness, and for others, it's about taste. The holidays are often full of mixed emotions - excitement, fear, happiness, and sadness. This is why so many people overeat during this time of year.

People who have been diagnosed with bulimia nervosa may eat to purge their feelings from food in a destructive way, while those with anorexia nervosa may use fasting as a form of purging.

There are two types: emotional and physical. Emotional binge eating is characterized by consuming food in response to unpleasant feelings such as anger, loneliness, or sadness. Physical bingeing occurs when an individual feels hungry but may not be hungry at all. Binge eaters might feel physically hungry, even when they've just eaten a large meal.

How does Binge Eating Affect the Body?

Binge eating disorder is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that can be hard to recognize. It’s essential to know the warning signs and risk factors and how one can take steps to help themselves or a loved one suffering from this disorder.

Binge eating has long-term implications on both one’s health and mental health. It can lead to physical health complications like heart disease, leading to an increased risk for obesity-related illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, etc.

Binge eating can affect your body shape and lead to other chronic illnesses.

Eating habits and emotional wellbeing are intimately linked, so it's crucial to get help if you or someone you care about is struggling with binge-eating disorder.

A compulsive eating disorder is different than a binge eating disorder in that compulsive overeaters will consume large amounts of food in a short period of time. In contrast, binge eaters do not need to consume such large quantities and will usually feel guilty about it afterward. This hunger for food can take over their lives, making them unable to live normally or keep up with daily responsibilities.

Start Living the Healthy Life you Deserve Today.

Binge eating disorder is a serious issue - it can lead to weight gain, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. With binge eating disorder's frequency on the rise, there are many ways to help combat this debilitating disease. One way is to see a therapist who specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. 

If you seek professional help, Trust Mental Health can match you with a professional therapist who will teach you healthy sleep habits and how to control your cravings for unhealthy foods. They will also help you with your mood swings and teach you how to handle trigger situations that could lead to binging.

Our therapists come from a wide array of backgrounds and can speak many languages. Set up a free consultation with us to learn more.



THE TRUST MENTAL HEALTH CARE TEAM