What Is Binge Eating?
Binge eating is a type of eating disorder marked by episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short timeframe, normally within 2 hours or less). It’s eating an amount of food that is larger than what most people would eat in a similar period under similar circumstances., often followed by a sense of loss of control and guilt.
Many people with the disorder feel like a switch is turned on in their minds, and they can only eat until they physically cannot anymore. Itâs terrifying because the real you is still in your head but has no power over your actions.
Unlike overeating, which can happen sometimes or due to special occasions or celebrations, binge eating is frequent. Binge eating can greatly affect a person’s physical and mental health. The disorder affects people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.
What Are Some Of The Signs And Symptoms Of Binge Eating Disorder?
This eating behavior must happen at least once a week for at least three months to be considered binge eating.
Also, you must have at least three of these five things going on while eating.
- You feel uncomfortably full.
- You can eat much faster than normal.
- You eat alone because you’re ashamed of how much you’re eating.
- You eat large amounts of food even though you’re not hungry.
- And then, after you eat, you feel disgusted, depressed, or guilty.
People who struggle with binge eating may experience physical symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, constipation, acid reflux, and weight gain.
On a severity scale, binge eating disorder is considered mild if you only have an episode once or twice weekly. It’s considered reasonable if it happens four to five times a week, severe if it happens eight to 13 times a week, and extreme if you have 14 or more episodes weekly.
If you or someone you know is struggling with the disorder, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist or herbalist can help to diagnose and treat binge eating disorder using a variety of approaches, including therapy, medication, supplementation, and dietary changes.
What Are The Common Triggers For Binge Eating Episodes?
There are lots of factors that play into how someone develops an eating disorder. Still, there has been research linking specific emotions that start the binge episodes in binge eating disorder (B.E.D); they can be started by sadness, anger, and frustration. Persons are feelings of depression, social isolation, anxiety, poor body self-image, low self-esteem, and dieting.
Different factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of loneliness or boredom, can also trigger binge eating.
People who struggle with binge eating often feel shame and guilt about their eating habits, which can lead to further emotional distress and negative health consequences.
Steps To Manage The Symptoms Of Binge Eating
These include:
- Identifying triggers: Identifying the situations or emotions that trigger binge eating episodes, such as stress or anxiety, can be helpful. Once these triggers are identified, people can work to develop coping strategies to manage them.
- Many people binge eat due to not being able to process negative emotions. So they rid themselves of that negative feeling by eating. Eating becomes the coping mechanism because it may provide temporary relief, but it doesn’t last long because it’s followed by guilt and shame.
- And it’s no surprise that the kinds of foods that people binge on are high-sugar and high-fat foods. These foods can trigger the “happy hormone,” dopamine, to be released in the brain, making us feel good when we eat these foods. People don’t binge on healthy foods because it doesn’t make them feel the same way.
- Developing a healthy relationship with food: It can be helpful to work with a registered dietitian to create a healthy eating plan that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods. This can help to reduce feelings of deprivation and promote a positive relationship with food. {Personalized Nutrition and workout Plan}
- Practicing mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help to reduce stress and promote a sense of calm, making it easier to manage cravings and urges to binge eat.
- Engaging in regular physical activity: Regular exercise can help reduce stress and promote well-being, making it easier to manage cravings and urges to binge eat.
- Seeking support: Joining a support group or talking to friends and family members can help to reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community and accountability.
The Side Effects Of Binge Eating
There is no shortage of health risks caused by binge eating disorders. The longer the condition stays untreated, the greater its effect on one’s quality of life. It’s important to talk to a dietitian, herbalist, or a Doctor as soon as possible.
The Disorder can lead to very rapid weight gain, and rapid weight gain causes inflammation. It causes inflammation in the heart, the pancreas, and your gut, leading to heart disease, plaque formation, and clogging of your arteries.
leading to heart attacks and congestive heart failure eventually,
It can also lead to diabetes because you’re overusing your pancreas and allowing insulin secretion to be so high that, eventually, your pancreas burns out, and you end up with diabetes.
Other Physical difficulties can include:
- Heart disease
- Infertility or pregnancy issues (women)
- Gallbladder disease
- High blood pressure
- Gastrointestinal complications
- High cholesterol
- Arthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Musculoskeletal problems
Binge eating disorder can also result in severe behavioral consequences, including:
- Severe anxiety
- Depression
- Self-hatred
- Social isolation
In conclusion, binge eating disorder is a complicated condition that can greatly affect a person’s physical and mental health. One of the most challenging aspects of binge eating disorder is that it can be difficult to recognize and diagnose. People who struggle with binge eating may feel isolated and ashamed, making it challenging to seek help. However, it is important to remember that the disorder is a treatable condition, and many resources are available to help those struggling. It is possible to manage symptoms and improve overall well-being with the right treatment and support.
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