Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge eating?
Sometimes it is hard to assess how serious a problem actually is. Of course, there are different definitions of what binge eating is, and what constitutes a binge.
No matter how you define it, most people want to STOP.
In the Harvard Mental Health Letter, I read a feature article about the treatment of bulimia and binge eating.
Bulimia is defined as 2 or more episodes of binge eating (consuming a large amount of food in 2 hours or less) at least twice a week for 3 months. These episodes may be followed by vomiting or purging (with laxatives or diuretics) and may alternate with fasting and compulsive exercising.
People who suffer from bulimia often view this behavior as a shameful secret. Binging and purging are almost always done in private.
Binge Eating Disorder (binging that is not followed by vomiting, fasting or exercise) has gotten more attention recently since it is being considered for inclusion as a psychiatric diagnosis.
The criteria are tentatively listed as “a condition that causes serious distress with at least 3 of the following symptoms occurring at least 2 days a week for 6 months”:
• eating very fast
• eating until uncomfortably full
• eating when not hungry
• eating alone
• feeling disgusted or guilty afterward
Since most of the population engages in these eating behaviors at one time or another, I guess it comes down to the frequency and severity of the problem.
You can be a binge eater, but you would have to be binging quite regularly to be considered to have Binge Eating Disorder.
Many people engage in some of these behaviors all the time. For instance, people who live alone often eat alone.
And while eating when you aren’t hungry is not the most satisfying experience, or the best choice for health, sometimes it is just an ingrained habit.
You do NOT have to be overweight to be a binge eater.
Many people with binge eating problems think they are overweight or are worried that they will become seriously overweight. They often do not realize that thin people can have very serious problems with binge eating. In fact, many people who are overweight think that thin people “have it all together.”
Dieting does not necessarily stop the binging and is often viewed as being part of the problem rather than the solution.
The body resists dieting by slowing metabolism and increasing appetite, commonly accompanied by an intense preoccupation with food, more binging, anxiety and depression. Some experts feel that dieting causes binging. If there were no diets, then binge eating would be eliminated.
One strategy to stop binge eating is to stop dieting. If you stop dieting, then you don’t feel deprived. Binge eating can be triggered by feelings of deprivation.
If you are struggling with bulimia or severe binge eating problems, seek help and get the support you deserve.
Don’t keep it a secret. You do not need to be heroic and suffer alone.
If you engage in some of the binge eating behaviors, join the club and keep learning . . .
You can learn to change ALL of these behaviors, even mild to moderate binge eating by listening to your body, eating mindfully and being kind to yourself.
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