A lot of us tend to over eat from time to time. We take an extra plate during the holiday season or have a dessert when we are already stuff to the brim. However, for binge eaters, overeating is a regular and uncontrollable habit. You tend to use food to cope with stress and negative emotions, even though half the time you will feel worse after binge eating. You probably feel as if you are stuck in this cycle that you cannot get out of, but there is hope. Binge eating is treatable. With the correct help and support, you will learn soon how to control your eating and develop a healthier relationship with food.
What is binge eating?
Binge eating is defined as compulsive overeating in which individuals consume large amounts of food while feeling like they are out of control and powerless to stop themselves. The symptoms tend to show during the late adolescence and even early adulthood. A binge eating episode commonly lasts around two hours, but some individuals can binge on and off all day. The first sign of binge eating is when you are not hungry or continue to eat way after you are full.
The binge eating cycle
Most people say the binge eating cycle can be comforting for a little bit, but when reality sets in, you usually quickly regret your eating and start self-loathing. Binge eating commonly leads to obesity and weight gain, which continues the cycle. The worse you feel about your appearance, the more you will use food to cope with how you feel. This becomes a vicious cycle.
Treatment and help for binge eating disorder
There are many things you can do to help yourself control your binge eating. It is vital that you seek professional support and treatment. Many health professionals offer treatments for binge eating disorders including psychiatrists, nutritionists, therapists, and counselors; there are even eating disorder and obesity specialists.
A successful treatment program for people who suffer from binge eating should always address more than your symptoms and your eating habits. It should also address the root of the problem and the emotional triggers that lead you to binge eating.
If obesity is starting to creep up on you, weight loss may be an important goal in your treatment program. However, dieting can also contribute to binge eating, so weight loss efforts will be monitored by a professional.
Therapy for binge eating disorder
Binge eating disorder can be successfully treated with therapy sessions. Therapy can help you learn the ropes to fighting your compulsion to binge. You will soon learn to exchange your unhealthy habits for healthy ones and to develop coping skills.
