4 Important Things To Know About Binge Eating
Introduction
Food has become a pain for a lot of people. It isn’t really about food, but the kinds of food we can get in the modern world. When it comes to binge eating, addictive man-made foods affect us in a way that makes us eat a lot more than we need to, not because our bodies need food but for dysfunctional reasons.
Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating are serious, life-threatening conditions that affect a person’s physical, emotional, and mental health.
All of them are caused by the brain’s reward center releasing the “feel-good” hormone dopamine. This addiction is just as strong as a dependence on drugs or alcohol.
Eating disorders are real, painful, and overwhelming, seriously affecting relationships, work, and health. They affect all body organs and can cause long-term diseases and bad reactions.
4 Important Things To Know About Binge Eating
When it comes to binge eating, here are four things you need to know.
What is binge eating?
Binge eating disorders can happen to people of any age, gender, or race. It’s the most common eating disorder. The main sign of this mental illness is eating too much and often after feeling full.
For many people, it’s a way to avoid the real causes of their problems, like fear of rejection or failure, depression, anxiety, or guilt. It comes back often, and if it isn’t fixed quickly, it can cause serious health problems.
It can be hard for people to tell the difference between binge eating and bulimia nervosa. Even though they have similar symptoms and side effects, people with bulimia will make themselves throw up after a binge eating episode.
On the other hand, people who have binge eating disorders don’t throw up. Instead, the guilt and shame can cause people to fast and diet over and over again.
Behavioral signs and symptoms
Identifying the behavioral signs of binge eating is crucial in understanding the severity of the disorder. It is critical in determining the appropriate treatment.
Here are some signs that one is suffering from binge eating:
- Eating a lot of food even when full
- Frequent dieting without weight loss
- Hoarding food
- Eating alone
- Loss of control that affects school, work, and relationships
Side effects
People often think that binge eating is pretty safe, but it can be very bad for the physical and mental health.
Here are some side effects of binge eating:
- Self-hatred, anxiety, depression, and shame
- Gastrointestinal distress, bloating, and heartburn
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Social isolation and low self-esteem
- Weight gain and obesity
- Sleep apnea (breathing that stops several times through the night)
- Cardiovascular diseases
- High blood pressure
- Type-2 diabetes
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Gout
How To Manage and Treat Binge Eating
Recent studies have proven that those seeking treatment respond well to treatment and improve considerably. Conquering it may be a daily endeavor, but with these tips, you can regain control of your eating and life.
Be brave.
The only one who can change your eating habits is you, so muster your courage and ask yourself these questions:
- Am I hungry?
- Why am I eating?
- Are my motives other than enjoying food and nourishing my body? Loneliness? Anger? Depression?
The sooner you’re truthful with yourself, the sooner you can find a solution.
Evaluate the purpose of your excessive eating.
Food is necessary for healthy development, meeting the body’s requirements, and enjoyment. If the reason for eating is anything else besides that, then you have to re-evaluate your lifestyle decisions.
Don’t diet.
Dieting entails limiting yourself, which leads to deprivation and bingeing. It’s a vicious cycle, so don’t bother. Instead, make healthy eating habits a part of your daily routine.
Seek help.
A GP experienced in treating eating disorders should be the first person whose help you should seek. Once diagnosed, several healthcare professionals can work with you to find the reasons behind your eating behavior and reconnect with your body’s signals of fullness and hunger.
Conclusion
We hope this article has provided you with valuable information regarding binge eating. Understanding the warning signs and symptoms of binge eating is crucial for identifying and treating this disorder. We also discussed the possible side effects of binge eating and how to manage and treat it. If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating, it is crucial to seek professional help. With the proper support and treatment, recovery is possible.
