Binge Eating Disorder ( Awareness)
Hey everyone, in this post I would like to raise awareness regarding a very common yet underlooked Eating Disorder known as Binge Eating order (BED).
What is a Binge Eating Disorder?
A Binge-Eating Disorder is a type of Eating Disorder, Binge-eating disorder is a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating. Almost everyone overeats on occasion, such as having seconds or thirds of a holiday meal. But for some people, excessive overeating that feels out of control and becomes a regular occurrence crosses the line to binge-eating disorder.When you have binge-eating disorder, you may be embarrassed about overeating and vow to stop. But you feel such a compulsion that you can't resist the urges and continue binge eating.
What are the symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder?
Behavioral symptoms
Inability to stop eating or control what youre eating
Rapidly eating large amounts of food
Eating even when you're full
Hiding or stockpiling food to eat later in secret
Eating normally around others, but gorging when youre alone
Eating continuously throughout the day, with no planned mealtimes
Emotional symptoms
Feeling stress or tension that is only relieved by eating
Embarrassment over how much youre eating
Feeling numb while bingeing—like youre not really there or youre on auto-pilot.
Never feeling satisfied, no matter how much you eat
Feeling guilty, disgusted, or depressed after overeating
Desperation to control weight and eating habits
What factors can influence a Binge Eating Disorder?
Factors that can increase your risk of developing binge-eating disorder include:
- Family history. You're much more likely to have an eating disorder if your parents or siblings have (or had) an eating disorder. This may indicate that inherited genes increase the risk of developing an eating disorder.
-Psychological issues. Most people who have binge-eating disorder feel negative about themselves and their skills and accomplishments. Triggers for bingeing can include stress, poor body self-image, food and boredom.
- Dieting. Many people with binge-eating disorder have a history of dieting — some have dieted to excess dating back to childhood. Dieting or restricting calories during the day may trigger an urge to binge eat, especially if you have low self-esteem and symptoms of depression.
-Your age. Although people of any age can have binge-eating disorder, it often begins in the late teens or early 20s.
Tips for helping a person with Binge Eating Disorder
-Encourage him or her to seek help. The longer an eating disorder remains undiagnosed and untreated, the more difficult it will be to overcome, so urge your loved one to get treatment.
-Be supportive. Try to listen without judgment and make sure the person knows you care. If your loved one slips up on the road to recovery, remind them that it doesnt mean they cant quit binge eating for good.
-Avoid lectures or guilt trips. Binge eaters feel bad enough about themselves and their behaviour already. Lecturing, getting upset, or issuing ultimatums to a binge eater will only increase stress and make the situation worse. Instead, make it clear that you care about the persons health and happiness and youll continue to be there.
-Set a good example by eating healthily, exercising, and managing stress without food. Dont make negative comments about your own body or anyone elses.
Now that I have explained the Eating Disorder, its symptoms and factors that can influence it, let's have a discussion below on it by answering the questions given below:
1)What does your Binge Eating Disorder look like?
2)When did you develop Binge Eating Disorder?
3)What factors might have influenced your Binge Eating Disorder?
4)How does your Binge Eating Disorder affects your mental health?
5)Have you found any coping techniques that might have helped you regarding this?
Thank you all for reading, Please answer the questions given above by replying to the forum post
Some Helpful links:
-Binge eating support groups:
International Eating Disorder Support
@Laura , @Amelia , @Dilion , @Heather , @MissZ, @Jace , @Power , @Anomalia , @Lyra ,@PassionatePeyton , @gigantWillow93 , @Always25 , @sarcasticalien , @TheSpiritGuardianOri , @tranquilForever68 , @Halogen , @LonelyAngels , @Belle_ , @KRN , @PuppyLove13 , @ForeverKeepRising , @tazcares , @UditJ , @Greylight , @Eunoia , @PoliteOcean @SnowsOfYesteryear @RedWolfAK @Isaac
This was quite elaborative and well-structured. Well done! :)
@tazcares
Thank you for reading 
@EssenceOfHope
Thank you for doing this!
@EssenceOfHope
1.) I continue to eat when depressed or bored.
2.) It started becoming more prominent a few years ago when I became depressed.
3.) Depression. I also grew up in the Southwest where food means a lot.
4.) I've been in a downward spiral for a few years now. I have self-image and esteem issues.
5.) No, but I'd like to.
@MayBlue
May , Thank You for reading , many people with this tend to eat when depressed , for you it started quite a while ago it seems , i am sorry to hear that you are in a downward spiral , i hope you are able to overcome it soons , for coping tricks , i suggets checking the links i provided at the end of the post as helpful resources
@EssenceOfHope
I really appreciate this.
@EssenceOfHope Thank you for posting such a detailed and informative thread <3 I could relate to it all too well :) thank you <3
1)What does your Binge Eating Disorder look like ?
I ate all day everyday though it made me feel sick.
2)When did you develop Binge Eating Disorder ?
About a year ago when my depression set in and I felt that I should atleast be able to eat when and as I please.
3)What factors might have influenced your Binge Eating Disorder?
Depression and a cheating boyfriend.
4)How does your Binge Eating Disorder affects your mental health?
I felt guilty, worthless, ugly, like a slob all the time.. Made the depression worse.
5)Have you found any coping techniques that might have helped you regarding this?
It was difficult so the first thing I did was I stopped the midnight binges as those are the worst and then I slowly reduced the amount of food I had but I didn't care about it being healthy or unhealthy.. Has helped a lot!
@PuppyLove13
your welcome , Thank you for reading , what you are describing is a very common form of binge eating disorder , i am sure many of us can relate , but that doesnot mean that its easy to live with as you described it can cause much mental harm in addition to physical affects , i liked how you mentioned "guilt" , people suffering froom this often feel guilty , i am glad you were able to find a way that helped
It is great to see awareness about this very misunderstood condition.
@Carrotcakefan
Thank You for reading , i am glad that you liked it
@EssenceOfHope
1)What does your Binge Eating Disorder look like ?
I couldn't stop eating, even if I felt full and sick.
2)When did you develop Binge Eating Disorder ?
About a year ago.
3)What factors might have influenced your Binge Eating Disorder?
Depression, loneliness, boredom and poor self-esteem.
4)How does your Binge Eating Disorder affects your mental health?
I felt worthless, unbalanced and incapable of making real commitments.
5)Have you found any coping techniques that might have helped you regarding this?
I'm actually still struggling with binge eating and once in a while I still fall back into it. Nonetheless, I've found out that practicing a sport is a big help. In my case, include running into my routine was the best choice I could ever have made. It really boosts your self-confidence.
@Yunqi
Thank you for reading and taking the time to share , from what you described , it is common to feel guilt that often leads to feeling of worthlessness , when we are not able to control what can seem to be a minor thing for people who don't struggle with it , it can really affect our self image , i am glad that you found practicing sports of help , exercise can be a good coping strategy
@EssenceOfHope Thank you for this thread <3
1)What does your Binge Eating Disorder look like ?
When every I'm home I'm always constatly munching on something. I can never do my school work ot study without a snack on my side. I'm constatly eating even after I feel full/sick of eating. Food is my source of comfort.
2)When did you develop Binge Eating Disorder ?
For a couple months now. Espically when school gets stressful.
3)What factors might have influenced your Binge Eating Disorder?
When I was younger I used to be able to eat whatever and not put on any wieght. I never learn how to control myself from eating since I never have needed to.
4)How does your Binge Eating Disorder affects your mental health?
I'm constatly insecure about my weight. I've found my self being more depressed now adays..
5)Have you found any coping techniques that might have helped you regarding this?
Chewing gum kinda helps...make me feel as if I'm eating something but now really..
@MapleSyyrup
Thank you for reading and taking the time to answer , its appreciated , i can see that your disorder is routing from stress , and you deal with the stress by using food as a comfort , it can be hard to deal with this as it often gives us the feelings of guilt , low selfesteem and body image issues can also be a result of it , cewing gum can be a good coping strategy , i suggets mint gum as mint suppresses appetite , but it should be kept in mind that everything is good in moderation , chewing gum in an excess amount can cause bloating
@EssenceOfHope Thank you for readin my post and also for the advice <3
@MapleSyyrup
Your welcome
@EssenceOfHope
1)What does your Binge Eating Disorder look like ?
Mostly while depressed, I eat whatever I can get my hands on.
2)When did you develop Binge Eating Disorder ?
When I was a teenager.
3)What factors might have influenced your Binge Eating Disorder?
Depression and my own insecurities about my weight.
4)How does your Binge Eating Disorder affects your mental health?
I swing back and forth between BED and other eating disorders, always feeling guilty, whether I eat or not.
5)Have you found any coping techniques that might have helped you regarding this?
I try to drink flavored coffee or tea when I feel like binging, and that helps sometimes.
@MistyMountainHope
Thank you for taking the time to share , from what you shared i am seeing that your BED is routed from depression and binge eating causes guilt in you which leads to self esteem and further mental stress , you have been struggling for quite long , i am sorry that you are going through this but i am really glad that you have found something that has helped
I started binging when I was a kid. i never realized at that time that I was depending on food. Too much tension in home. And didn't know how to express my feelings. So I swallow those feelings with my food and hence became comfort food for me.
After so many years, still find it hard to deal with. Whenever I am tensed I end up eating even when I am full. At that time all I want to junk. Sometimes when I try not to eat, I feel so much anxious. It feels like a minor panic attack. I face this problem especially at night. After having my dinner. I realized that it is really important to be calm and relax in order to stop emotional eating. I feel that it's not genetic but it's what we see our parents doing.
I sometimes feel so depressed. Being angry with myself for having no control. Being sad with myself for finding no solution. And then the lack of confidence
To cope up I try to ask myself what I am anxious about and tell myself that there is no need to be anxious. i try to tell myself what is the worst that can happen and I can handle it. So I try to relax then. Not easy though. I also try to keep check when I feel the craving and keep dry fruits at home. They always help. I think its also be about having patience with ourselves. It is a journey. Not a single day process. We have to be willing to love ourselves and be patient with ourselves. Every time I fail I try to do it again.
Also the habit of eating slowly and being present in the moment is essential. That always help.
@Aashilights
Thank you for taking the time to read the post and to share your story , from what you shared i am seeing that it started early for you with the ame route as many described above and that is mental stress , you use food as a comfort like many of us , cause it helps block the stress for a bit , it can certainly cause self esteem issues and leads to further depression , i am glad that practicing mindfullness is helping you
@EssenceOfHope thank you for this! i appreciate the amount of detail.
1. Buying a lot of junk food (or receiving it as a present), hiding it in my room, eating it quickly, hiding wrappers, and disposing of rubbish when I'm home alone by trying to put it at the bottom of the bin.
2. I think 2014, maybe late 2013. (start of uni/finishing high school)
3. Poor body image, stress, family problems, and my mother doesn't eat a lot, so I sometimes feel weird about food/eating.
4. It makes me even more stressed and upset, I shut down and try to isolate myself, and I feel physically ill and lethargic.
5. Not yet.
@talkingflowers
Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions , what i am seeing is that you consumed a lot of junk food but you are not proud of it therefore you tried to hid any proof of it , a part of you can't help it while on the other hand you can't help but eat such foods , so i think a major life change influenced it , as for many BED has a negative mental affect on you as well , it may feel good to eat foods that are high in fat and sugar , they give you a endorphin rush but a downwards spiral afterwards , about the coping techniques , try reading the replies to this post you might like a idea