Are You a Binge Eater?

Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge
eating?

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

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 has probably engaged 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 People who live alone often eat alone

And while eating when you aren’t hungry is not the most satisfying experience, 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

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

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 reading

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

Here’s to getting the help you need,
Carol

About the Author

Carol Solomon, PhD is a psychologist and personal coach who specializes in helping people who want to lose weight and eliminate food and weight issues

She is the author of “Lose Weight Now Stay Slim Forever,” a practical “how-to” manual for learning to lose weight without dieting

Lose Weight Now

Tags | anxiety, article, binge, diagnosis, disorder, diuretics, exercise, harvard, ingrained, laxatives, psychiatric, severity, treatment