Between you and I, binge eating disorder treatment is one of my favorite focuses to provide. Why? Because people with binge eating carry so much shame for struggling with binging. They don’t talk about it or share it with others because they are humiliated. As a result, they stay stuck in a painful pool of emotions that makes them even more vulnerable to binge. I love to be able to give compassion and kindness to these people because they deserve it. People who binge are often misunderstood by themselves and by other people. They can’t figure out why they keep binging when it makes them hate themselves, and they hate how they feel. There are deeper reasons for why you might binge, and I want to dive into some of them.
Reasons for binge eating
Everyone has a unique reason for binging. Your reason might not be on this list but that doesn’t mean it’s not valid.
1. Coping with emotions
Binge eating is often a way to deal with strong emotions. People sometimes turn to food when they're feeling stressed, sad, alone, anxious, or bored. Eating can give a brief distraction or comfort when feeling strong feelings. Subconsciously it’s possible that people might resort to binging to numb their feelings because they are feeling too much. Binging may start out as emotional eating but then feels out of control.
2. Seeking pleasure
Binge eating triggers the release of certain neurotransmitters such as dopamine, in the brain. Dopamine gives the feeling of pleasure and reward. When someone engages in binge eating, they experience a surge of dopamine, meaning it makes them feel good. Over time, the brain starts to link binge eating with feeling better, creating a powerful incentive to continue the behavior. People might be prone to binge eating when they don’t have many other sources of pleasure in their lives. Those with ADHD are more likely to use binging as a way of reward or binging but that doesn’t mean you have to have ADHD to use food as pleasure.
3.. Restrictive Eating Patterns:
People who binge eat believe it’s because they don’t have self-control or willpower when the truth is it’s because they are restricting. Strict diets or limiting and eliminating food groups can set the stage for binge eating. When your body is deprived of certain foods or nutrients, it can lead to intense cravings. These cravings may eventually overpower your self-control, resulting in binge eating episodes when they do allow themselves to eat. These cravings are the body’s way to get the nutrition and energy they need to survive and they also make you vulnerable to binge.
4. Trauma history
People with a history of trauma might turn to binge eating for a few reasons. Trauma, like experiencing a really difficult or painful event, can deeply affect how a person copes and feels. Binge eating might become a way to handle the intense emotions and memories connected to the trauma. Food can provide a temporary escape from those feelings. Also, binge eating triggers certain chemicals in the brain that make you feel better for a short while, offering relief from the distress that trauma brings.
5. Guilt and Shame:
Guilt and shame can actually contribute to binge eating in a few ways. When someone feels guilty about something they've done or the way they look, they might turn to food for comfort. Binge eating temporarily soothes those feelings, but it can also make them feel worse afterward. This can create a cycle where the guilt or shame from binge eating leads to more binge eating to escape those emotions.
6. Negative body image
Negative body image can lead to binge eating in several ways. When you don’t like the way you look it can bring up feelings of shame, sadness, and frustration. Binge eating might become a way to cope with these emotions, even though it's just temporary relief. After binge eating, guilt and shame often follow, making the negative body image feelings even worse. Comparing oneself to others or societal standards can make things harder too. Binge eating might offer a sense of comfort or distraction from these tough thoughts and feelings. It's like a cycle: feeling bad about the body, binge eating, and then feeling guilty.
Binge eating disorder treatment in Utah can help you stop binging
Binge eating disorder treatment or therapy can be a powerful tool in helping you overcome binge eating. Through therapy, you can learn to understand the underlying reasons behind why you binge such as emotional triggers or negative thought patterns. A binge eating disorder therapist can provide you with coping skills to manage difficult emotions without turning to food. They'll guide you in using different ways to deal with stress, sadness, or anxiety. Therapy also helps you build a positive relationship with food and your body, focusing on mindful eating and self-compassion. With the support of a therapist, you can break the cycle of binge eating, address the root causes, and work towards lasting change in your eating habits and overall well-being.
Start working with a binge eating disorder therapist in Utah
You can stop binging and feel more in control again. You don’t have to keep feeling humiliated by the way you eat. Binge eating disorder treatment can help. This Utah Eating Disorder Clinic has a binge eating disorder therapist who can help you make peace with food. To begin counseling follow the steps below:
Meet with an eating disorder therapist
Make peace with food
About the Author
Ashlee Hunt, LCSW, is an eating disorder therapist and founder of Maple Canyon Therapy, a therapy practice based in Utah. With a passion for helping women achieve better mental health. Ashlee holds a diverse educational background that equips her to provide the best support to the women she works with. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology, allowing her to delve into the intricacies of human behavior. Building on this foundation, Ashlee also obtained a Bachelor's degree in Family Life and Human Development, deepening her understanding of family dynamics and relationships. Her commitment to enhancing the lives of others led her to attain a Master's degree in Social Work where she focuses on providing therapy for women who struggle with anxiety and disordered eating.