What is Binge Eating? How to Treat Binge Eating Disorder and Heal Your Relationship with Food
Do you often find yourself eating much more than you intended to? Or do you feel guilty and ashamed after eating? Maybe you feel like you can't stop, even when you're not hungry. If so, then you may be struggling with binge eating. Binge eating is a serious eating disorder that can have negative effects on your physical and mental health. In this blog post, I’m discussing what binge eating is, the common symptoms of binge eating, and how therapy can help. You don't have to continue living under the stress and shame of an eating disorder. Counseling can help you create a loving relationship with your body and a healthier relationship with food.
What is Binge Eating?
Binge eating is characterized by moments of overeating followed by feelings of shame and guilt. People who binge eat often feel like they can't control their eating behaviors. Or, they feel like they are eating much more than they should be. Some people say something “comes over them” when they binge eat and it feels impossible to stop.
Binge eating is often used as a way to cope with negative emotions, and it can occur in response to a range of triggers. Stress, boredom, anxiety, or depression may cause you to binge eat. This is simply because eating food makes us feel good. When you eat food you enjoy, your brain releases what we call "feel good" hormones. So it's not surprising that people turn to food when they're feeling stressed, anxious, or upset.
However, binge eating can quickly spiral out of control and become a serious problem.
How is Binge Eating Different From Overeating?
It's important to note that binge eating isn't the same as overeating. Overeating is eating more food than you need to in one sitting. Almost every person occasionally overeats and isn't necessarily a sign of an eating disorder. Binge eating, on the other hand, is characterized by a loss of control over your eating behaviors. People who binge eat often feel like they just can't stop eating.
Binge eating is a serious mental health concern that often requires treatment. However, it's not always easy to identify the difference between overeating and binge eating. Especially, if you don't really want to accept that you may have a problem with binge eating.
Common Signs of Binge Eating
Before we go into the common signs of binge eating, it's important to note that every person is different. Eating disorders don't discriminate. You can experience binge eating regardless of your weight, gender, or age.
That being said, there are some common signs and symptoms of binge eating that you should be aware of.
Signs of binge eating include:
Eating until you're uncomfortably full or even sick
Feeling like you can't control your eating behaviors
Often eating alone or in secret because you're ashamed of your eating
Eating very quickly during binge episodes
Feeling shame, guilt, or embarrassment after eating
Frequently eating even when you're not really hungry
Eating much more food than usual in a short period of time
Dieting or trying to diet on a regular basis
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it's important to reach out for help. Working with an eating disorder therapist can help you manage your symptoms and start living a healthier life.
Binge Eating Therapy and Eating Disorder Treatment
If you're struggling with binge eating, you probably feel like you're completely alone. You might think that no one understands what you're feeling. As an eating disorder therapist, I can say with confidence that this is not true. I have worked with many clients who struggle with binge eating, and I know that you are not alone in your experience. Binge eating therapy can help you overcome your eating disorder and nurture a healthy relationship with your body.
In therapy, we will identify the cause of your binge eating. Then we will work on coping skills to manage your triggers of binge eating. A big part of my approach to eating disorder treatment is building a stronger relationship with yourself. This means learning self-acceptance instead of shame. I will help you to create a practice of self-love so you can more easily treat your body with care and respect.
Yoga Therapy for Eating Disorder Treatment in Austin, TX and Beyond
Another form of eating disorder treatment I often use is yoga therapy. Yoga is a great way to connect with your body and learn to love yourself just as you are. We will use yoga and breath work to calm your nervous system and ease anxiety. Breath work and relaxation techniques can be extremely helpful in managing your triggers and your binge eating. Practicing being present in your body is also a wonderful way to grow self-love and acceptance towards your body.
Begin Binge Eating Therapy in Texas or Utah
It may not feel like it now, but you don't have to live like this forever. Eating disorder treatment works and it truly can help you overcome binge eating. Together we can work on creating a loving relationship with your body and a healthier relationship with food. I started my therapy practice in Austin, TX to help people overcome their eating disorders. As an eating disorder therapist, I understand the challenges you are facing right now and I am trained to help. If you're considering beginning eating disorder treatment, you can follow these simple steps:
Contact me and fill out a consultation form
Together we'll find a time to talk and see if I am the right fit for your needs
Learn techniques to heal your relationship with your body and overcome your eating disorder
Additional Services Offered at Elevate Therapy
At my Austin, TX-based counseling practice, I take a holistic approach to counseling. I understand that you are a multi-faceted person and that you may be experiencing more than an eating disorder. In addition to eating disorder treatment, I also offer anxiety treatment and trauma therapy. If you are experiencing chronic pain, I can help as well. I provide online therapy sessions for residents of Texas & Utah. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about how holistic counseling can help. I would be overjoyed to be a part of your journey.
