Binge eating disorder is America’s most common eating disorder, with even more people suffering the condition than anorexia or bulimia. This mental health problem occurs through frequent eating of excessive amounts of food even when you feel no hunger. In fact, the condition manifests to divert your attention from bigger problems in your life. You binge to distract yourself from other things that make you uncomfortable or upset. Binge eating is not simply overeating. This condition recurs and has more serious ties to your overall health. In fact, bingeing affects your physical and mental wellness. You eat far too much, then feel guilty, ashamed, and isolated. In an effort to control your bingeing, you possibly try diet after diet or fast to stifle your negative feelings and self-hatred. Learn more about how a binge eating disorder treatment program can help.
What Is Binge Eating?
It’s normal for people to overeat once in a while, especially around the holidays. In some cases, this may occur regularly. However, this does not always mean that you have a binge eating disorder. It is a severe condition that is linked to uncontrollable eating on a regular basis. If you have this condition, you may feel that you have lost control over your eating, even if you feel full. Many people binge eat to cope with anxiety, stress, or unwanted feelings. Symptoms of binge eating disorder may include:
- Eating any time during the day without any planned mealtimes
- Indications of heavy food consumption, such as empty containers or food wrappers
- Periodic fasting to avoid weight gain
- Noticing large amounts of food disappearing within a short time frame
- Expressing feelings of dissatisfaction with body size, sadness, shame, or worthlessness before or after binge eating sessions
- Having or displaying perfectionist tendencies
Binge Eating Disorder Is Not About Willpower
Being predisposed to binge eating, compulsive overeating, or another addictive behavior is not about lack of willpower. People who recognize the consequences but are unable to stop are likely in need of therapy. Developing a binge eating disorder is often a result of combinations of the following:
- Genetics
- Familial modeling
- Unhealthy self-soothing
- Reward pathway structures in the brain
With these factors working against us, willpower doesn’t stand a chance. Occasional binge eating is on the spectrum of what is considered normal eating behaviors; most people, even those who do not have an eating disorder, binge occasionally. If binge eating disorder takes over your life and you need help quitting, a highly qualified therapist may be able to offer coping strategies and support. Attempting to overcome an eating disorder may feel impossible, but it is possible with the right help.
Binge Eating Disorder Affects Many Types of People
Anyone can suffer binge eating. There is no one type of person this condition affects. Much like addiction to drugs or alcohol, bingeing takes over your life and destroys everything in its wake. You lose others’ trust and personal self-esteem as your relationships, work, school, and overall ability to function wanes.
Overcoming Binge Eating Disorder
Overcoming binge eating requires specialized treatment in a quality binge eating disorder treatment program. If you also suffer alcohol or drug addiction with your eating disorder, you need dual diagnosis treatment to recover from both conditions at the same time. Treatment for overcoming binge eating includes an array of therapies and treatment methods. These include:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Inpatient rehab
- Extended care
- Substance use treatment
- Aftercare
Through these therapies and treatments, you gain the understanding of your disorder that you need to overcome it successfully. You treat the root causes of your condition, with those roots often firmly planted in past trauma, abuse, or other mental health problems. If you abuse alcohol or drugs in an effort of self-medication for your condition, you gain treatment for that problem at the same time.
Emotional Healing Is Possible
Suffering from binge eating disorder involves feeling a mix of emotions on a frequent basis, as your binging episodes occur and immediately thereafter. But overcoming binge eating is possible when you admit you cannot handle this problem yourself anymore. You simply need the right help.
Treatment for Binge Eating in Portland
In Portland, Oregon, people from all over the Pacific Northwest succeed at overcoming binge eating. This treatment and recovery take place at Crestview Recovery, a dual diagnosis treatment program with master-level therapists and substance use treatment. Make the right decision for your future, that of putting binge eating behind you for a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life ahead. Call Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon now at 866.262.0531 to learn more about available programs and treatment methods.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
