The holidays have arrived with Thanksgiving and Christmas generously celebrated with numerous family members. The feast is served buffet style, anyone would happily say, “okay! Fill up the plate. ” The stomach is expanding and the pants feel as though they are exploding at the seams, but one goes back for a second helping of delicious holiday food. Then one thinks after devouring all that food: am I a binge eater? Most people tend to overeat at meals, especially during the holidays, and many feel that they eat more than they should, but this does not make one a binge eater.
Dawn D. Matthews in the Eating Disorders Sourcebook defines binge eating disorder as: A disorder primarily identified by repeated episodes of uncontrolled eating. The overeating or bingeing does not typically stop until the person is uncomfortably full. Unlike anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, however, binge eating disorder is not associated with behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise to rid the body of extra fat. 276) The National Eating Disorders Association reports “binge eating disorder is a severe, life-threatening and treatable eating disorder” (“Binge Eating Disorder”). The National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders characterizes binge eating as “insatiable cravings that can occur any time of the day or night, usually secretive, and filled with shame. Binging is often rooted in poor body image, use of food to deal with stress, low self-esteem, and is tied to dysfunctional thoughts” (“Binge Eating Disorder”).
Despite what some think, “binge eating disorder is in fact a mental illness- not just the extreme overeating that plagues many Americans”, says the National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders (“Binge Eating Disorder”). Diana Kohnle of the HealthDay Consumer News Service says, “a person with the disorder often eats quite rapidly, one may not stop eating when one is full, and usually feels unable to stop, often these actions are a response to stress, anger or being emotionally upset. ” For someone thinking his or her loved one might be suffering from binge eating disorder the signs and symptoms can be found everywhere.
As stated by the National Eating Disorders Association, behavioral signs of binge eating are: The disappearance of large amounts of food in short periods of time r lots of empty wrappers and containers indicating consumption of large amounts of food; secretive food behaviors, including eating secretly, stealing, hiding, or hoarding food; disruption in normal eating behaviors, including eating throughout the day with no planned mealtimes, skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals; engaging in sporadic fasting or repetitive dieting; and developing food rituals, eating only a particular food or food group, excessive chewing, not allowing foods to touch, can involve extreme restriction and rigidity with food and periodic dieting and/or asting; has periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling uncomfortably full, but does not purge; and creating lifestyle schedules or rituals to make time for binge sessions. (“Binge Eating Disorder”) The emotional and mental characteristics of a person change as well, such as: Experiencing feelings of anger, anxiety, worthlessness, or shame that precedes binges. Initiating the binge is a means of relieving tension or numbing negative feelings.
Those with binge eating disorder may also experience social isolation, moodiness, and rritability. One might have a feeling of disgust about one’s body size, and those with binge eating disorder may have been teased about their body while growing up. Certain thought patterns and personality types are associated with binge eating disorder, these include, rigid and inflexible “all or nothing” thinking, a strong need to be in control, difficulty expressing feelings and needs, perfectionistic tendencies, and working hard to please others. (“Binge Eating Disorder”) Physical characteristics will change as well: Body weight varies from normal to mild, moderate, or severe besity.
Weight gain may or may not be associated with binge eating disorder. It is important to note that while there is a correlation between binge eating disorder and weight gain, not everyone who is overweight binges or has binge eating disorder. (“Binge Eating Disorder”) “Binge eating disorder occurs in one in every 35 adults in the United States. This translates to three to five percent of women (about 5 million) and two percent of men (3 million)” (“Binge Eating Disorder”). “The major complications of binge eating disorder are the diseases that accompany obesity. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, gallbladder disease, heart disease, and certain types of cancers” (Matthews 79).
Obese people with binge eating disorder often feel bad about themselves, they are preoccupied with their appearance, and they may avoid social gatherings. Most also feel ashamed and try to hide their problems and some are so successful that close family members and friends do not know they binge eat” (Matthews 79). Despite these problems, “binge eating disorder is a treatable disorder. The basic goals for a successful utcome are to decrease and stop binging episodes, attain and maintain a healthy weight, treat any co-existing psychiatric disorders, and correct any self-defeating thoughts, feelings, behaviors or situations that may trigger a binge” (“Binge Eating Disorder”).
The disorder can be successfully treated with therapy confirms Melinda Smith of HelpGuide. net. There are several types of therapy for binge eating disorder, according to Smith. “Interpersonal psychotherapy focuses on the relationship problems and interpersonal issues that contribute to compulsive eating. A therapist will help one improve his or her ommunication skills and develop healthier relationships with one’s family members and friends. As one learns how to relate better to others and get the emotional support one needs, the compulsion to binge becomes more infrequent and easier to resist” (Smith). “Dialectical behavior therapy combines cognitive- behavioral techniques with mindfulness meditation.
The emphasis of therapy is on teaching binge eaters how to accept themselves, to tolerate stress better, and to regulate their emotions. A therapist will also address unhealthy attitudes one may have about eating, shape, and weight. Dialectical behavior therapy typically includes both individual treatment sessions and weekly group therapy sessions” (Smith). “Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors involved in binge eating. One of the main goals is for one to become more self-aware of how one uses food to deal with emotions. A therapist will help one recognize his or her binge eating triggers and learn how to avoid or combat them.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for binge eating disorder also involves education about nutrition, healthy weight loss, and relaxation techniques” (Smith). Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches patients techniques to monitor and change their eating habits as well as to change the way they respond to difficult situations” (Matthews 80). There are several helpful ways to avoid binge eating disorder according to Smith. “One of the most important aspects of controlling binge eating is to find alternate ways to handle stress and other overwhelming feelings without using food. These may include exercising, meditating, using sensory relaxation strategies, and practicing simple breathing exercises” (Smith).
Eat three meals a day plus ealthy snacks, one should eat breakfast to jump start one’s metabolism in the morning and follow breakfast with a balanced lunch and dinner and healthy snacks in between; stick to scheduled mealtimes because skipping meals often leads to binge eating later in the day” (Smith). “Avoid temptation; one is much more likely to overeat if one has junk food, desserts, and unhealthy snacks in the house. Remove the temptation by clearing the fridge and cupboards of any favorite binge foods” (Smith). “Stop dieting, the deprivation and hunger of strict dieting can trigger food cravings and the urge to overeat. Instead of dieting, focus on eating in moderation, such as finding nutritious foods that one enjoys and eats only until one feels content and not uncomfortably stuffed.
Avoid banning certain foods as this can make a person crave them even more” (Smith). Exercise will not only help one lose weight in a healthy way, but it also lifts depression, improves overall health, and reduces stress. The natural mood-boosting effects of exercise can help put a stop to emotional eating” (Smith). “Instead of snacking when one is bored, distract oneself by taking a walk, calling a friend, reading, or taking up a hobby such s painting or gardening” (Smith). “Get enough sleep; if one is tired, one may want to keep eating in order to boost energy, or take a nap or go to bed earlier instead” (Smith). “One should listen to his or her body and learn to distinguish between physical and emotional hunger. If one has eaten recently and does not have a rumbling stomach, one is probably not hungry; give the craving time to pass” (Smith).
Get support: a person is more likely to succumb to binge eating triggers if one lacks a solid support network. Talking helps, even if it is not with a rofessional; one can lean on family and friends to join a support group, and if possible consult a therapist” (Smith). So as one eats his or her delicious holiday feast this year do not think because one’s pants seem to be busting at the seams that one is a binge eater. That eating behavior seems to be normal for this time of year. A binge eater follows characteristics of binge eating disorder. If one suspects a loved one is a binge eater follow the characteristics and find help. There are multiple ways of help for a binge eater, but do not let one suffer alone in his or her binge eating.
