Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
BED is a common eating disorder that can seriously affect your health and is characterised by repeated, uncontrolled episodes of eating large amounts of food. Fortunately, with the help of counselling and psychotherapy you can regain control of your life again.
Counselling and Psychotherapy for Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
Once in a while everyone lets loose and goes on a food binge. This often occurs during the holidays or while on a vacation. but we easily revert back to our normal eating habits after indulging ourselves in order to enjoy the moment. However, there are people who compulsively binge eat, consuming excessive amounts of food in one sitting event to the point of being sick.
Binge eating disorder (BED) is a psychological condition which can be characterised by regular episodes of overeating which happens regardless of whether the person is hungry or not.
Eating disorders are not about food alone, which is why they’re recognised as psychiatric disorders. People typically develop them as a way of dealing with a deeper issue or another psychological condition, such as anxiety or depression.
Breaking the Cycle of Binge Eating
Not everyone feels comfortable talking about their binge eating behaviours, which is why counselling and therapy provide an environment where they can feel safe and assured that they are not being judged regardless of what they share.
Therapists employ a range of techniques when treating BED which are all tailored specifically to the requirements of each individual person. These therapy techniques help people to identify and confront their negative ideas and thought patterns, learn how to deal with distressing emotions without turning to binge eating, and foster a healthy relationship with food.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?
Binge eating disorder is characterised by the consumption of excessive amounts of food in a short time, regardless if the person is hungry or not. Often, people with BED go on binge eating episodes when they are distressed or experiencing emotional stress.
The act of binge eating itself provides relief but once it’s over, sufferers feel ashamed or agonise over having lost control. If you have binge eating disorder, you may be overweight or obese, or you may be at a healthy weight. Most people with binge-eating disorder feel upset about their body size or shape regardless of what the number on the scale is.
The symptoms of binge-eating disorder vary but can include the following:
- Feeling that you don't have control over your eating behaviour, for example, you can't stop once you start
- Often eating much larger than usual amounts of food in a specific amount of time, such as over a two-hour period
- Eating even when you're full or not hungry
- Eating until you're uncomfortably full
- Eating very fast during eating binges
- Often eating alone or in secret
- Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty or upset about your eating
If you have binge-eating disorder, you may try to diet or eat less food at mealtimes to compensate. But restricting your diet may simply lead to more binge eating.
How much eating binges affect your mood and ability to function in daily life gives an idea of how serious the condition is for you. Binge eating disorder can often vary over time. The condition may be short-lived, may go away and come back, or may continue for years if left untreated.
Donna Marie Thomas
Hello, my name is Donna, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and Registered Member of BACP based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
I have a passion for helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life via a person centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment with me today.
What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?
The causes of binge eating disorder are not known. But certain genes, how your body works, long-term dieting and the presence of other mental health conditions increase your risk.
Binge eating disorder is more common in women than in men. People of any age can develop a binge eating disorder, but it often begins in the late teens or early 20s.
Factors that can raise your risk of having binge eating disorder include:
- Genetics
- Gender
- Changes in the brain
- Body size
- Body image
- Binge eating
- Emotional trauma
- Other psychological conditions
What are the Health Risks of BED?
There is no shortage of health risks associated with binge eating disorder, including significant physical, emotional, and social health risks. The longer the condition remains untreated, the greater the impact it will have on your quality of life.
The physical health consequences can include:
- Heart disease
- Adult-onset diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Gastrointestinal complications
- Arthritis
The mental health consequences can include:
- Severe anxiety
- Depression
- Self-hatred
- Social isolation
Counselling and Psychotherapy Options
The aim when treating binge eating disorder is to have healthy, regular eating habits. Binge eating often involves shame, poor body self-image and other negative emotions, so treatment will also address these along with any other related mental health conditions, such as depression. By getting help for binge eating, you can learn how to feel more in control of your eating.
Common therapy options include:
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal psychotherapy
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Weight loss therapy
Benefits of Counselling and Therapy
Thankfully, BED is treatable with therapies such as CBT and IPT being especially effective. Aside from the treatments, it is also highly beneficial to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Just like any other disorder, overcoming BED begins by seeking help from a medical professional.
No matter which treatment strategy is used, it is also important that you make healthy lifestyle and diet choices wherever possible. The following are some useful tips you may find helpful:
- Stay with your treatment
- Keep a food and mood diary
- Stay away from dieting
- Practice mindfulness
- Find someone to talk to
- Choose healthy foods
- Start exercising
- Get enough sleep
- Plan ahead for triggering situations
How Innerworth Counselling Can Help
The recovery process for binge eating disorder is a journey, and for many a lifetime commitment. There isn’t a quick fix or a magic bullet to treat it, however with counselling and therapy you will receive a safe, soothing and confidential space where you can begin to discuss and understand the root causes of your binge eating disorder.
It is also a space where you can begin to explore both the emotional and physical aspects behind your binge eating disorder and learn a range of techniques which will allow you to cope better with the symptoms enabling you to take back control of your life.
Take the First Step Now
I offer private therapy, and take a person-centred approach, meaning that I’m non-judgemental, see clients as equals, and collaborate on your healing journey together.
If you feel you could benefit from therapy for binge eating disorder, please book an initial consultation. You don’t have to prepare for this, just come as you are and we can look into how I might be able to help.
Additional Information
Here are some links that you may find helpful:
BEAT
The leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families – info, helplines, local support groups.
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Eating Disorders Support
Offering helplines staffed at various times throughout the day, weekend, and evenings along with various support groups.
www.eatingdisorderssupport.co.uk
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on: 116 123.
www.samaritans.org
Contact me today to book a confidential consulation
What My Clients Say
Jason Osborne
I shall be forever bewildered by the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. I had always remained sceptical until my very last session, then the “weight” that suddenly lifted was both physical and emotional and continues to benefit both myself and those around me three years on – thank you Donna.
Jason Osborne
Abigail Johnson
I’ve finally found a solution to my dependency on food. Your weight-loss therapy sessions have seriously transformed my life. Honestly, I could cry, I am so happy and feel like a totally new person, inside and out! Truly amazing Donna.
Abigail Johnson
Charlotte Dickinson
I went to see Donna because my anxiety and depression had spiralled out of control. I now have skills and techniques that I can use for the rest of my life to help me cope with any challenges. Thoroughly recommend psychotherapy from Innerworth Counselling. Donna is warm, professional and clearly passionate about what she does.