Binge Eating: A Disorder That People Are Unaware About
By: Arjundeep Ranjit Singh Sandhu
Intern at KRSH Foundation
Usually we love eating a specific dish a lot. For example: Fries and at times we eat it a lot due to its taste or we like to have fries with beer so we have fries with every pint of beer we are drinking. After having like 6 plates of fries we feel unable to stop having fries because we aren’t aware that we are binge eating.
What is Binge Eating?
Binge eating is the most common eating disorder diagnosed by health care providers, although many people do not realize it is a disorder. This causes repeated episodes of binge eating — consuming an unusually large amount of food in one sitting and feeling unable to stop.
While occasional binge eating is normal, an eating disorder is a condition you live with every day. It seems to control you and interfere with your mental, emotional and physical well-being. Binge eating means consuming large amounts of food in a short time and feeling like you can’t stop.
Diagnosis
The criteria for diagnosing an eating disorder are as follows:
- Eat more food than most people in a limited amount of time (one to two hours)
- Lack of compulsion or control over eating.
- Eating disorders occur at least once a week and have lasted for several months.
- Anxiety and/or self-loathing caused by overeating.
Causes
There is no known cause of binge eating disorder. However, your risk is increased by genetics, biological variables, chronic diets, and psychological problems.
Women are more likely than men to suffer from a binge-eating disorder. Although binge-eating disorders can affect persons of any age, they frequently start in their late teens or early 20s.
Your chance of getting binge-eating disorder may be affected by the following factors:
- Family background: If your parents or siblings have (or have had) an eating disorder, you are far more likely to as well. This may suggest that the chance of developing an eating disorder is increased by inherited genes.
- Dieting: There is a history of dieting among many persons who have binge eating disorder. In particular if you are experiencing signs of sadness, dieting or reducing calories during the day may make you feel the want to binge eat.
- Mental health problems: Binge eaters frequently have unfavourable self-perceptions of their abilities and accomplishments.
You may experience psychological and physical problems related to overeating.
Complications of eating disorders include:
- Poor quality of life
- Problems at work, personal life or social situations
- Social isolation
- Obesity (Obesity-related conditions such as joint problems, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and some sleep-disordered breathing.)
Psychiatric disorders that are often associated with eating disorders include:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- Substance use disorders
Preventing Binge Eating
- Have breakfast: People who eat have predictable patterns. Many skip breakfast, eat a light lunch, then get hungry and overeat in the afternoon. Eat regularly throughout the day.
- Timed predictable meals give you a lot of power over your appetite.
- Avoid temptations: You’re likely to overindulge when junk food and desserts are on hand.
- Plan treats: Go to the store and enjoy a cup of ice cream. But don’t store it in gallons in the freezer.
- Build a support system: Choose a few family members or friends to talk to about your struggles (When choosing, remember that they should encourage you even when you are down).A support group can help. You spend time with people who are on the same journey as you.Additionally, these relationships lack the emotional bonds that can come with family.
- Heavy Movement: Exercise is a great stress reliever that can do wonders for your mood. Natural feel-good chemicals from physical activity can help curb emotional eating. Be sure to ask your doctor what exercise is best for you, especially if you have health problems.
- Identify emotional triggers: Try to figure out what makes you want to throw up. Is it hate? Frustration? Bored? During a party? Pay attention to which emotions are changing and use them as warning signs.
Relieves stress. Find ways to get through hard times without food. Some options include:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Guided relaxation
- Deep breathing exercises
What is the difference between Overeating and Binge Eating?
Both can involve crazy behavior. You eat too much without thinking why. But there are real differences.
Common examples of overeating include:
- More than one dessert after dinner
- Finish an entire bag of popcorn while watching a movie
- When you overeat because of a stressful event, such as a romantic breakup, this is sometimes called “emotional eating.”
Examples of overeating include:
- Sneak a big bag of candies into your room and finish it secretly
- I eat the whole cake in one sitting and then I feel guilty
- Three burgers to go, even if you’re already uncomfortably full
Overeating and binge eating share similarities in consuming excessive amounts of food, binge eating disorder is a specific eating disorder characterized by recurring episodes of uncontrollable, large-scale food consumption. Understanding the difference between overeating and binge eating disorder is essential in recognizing and addressing problematic eating behaviors. Seeking professional help and adopting preventive measures can contribute to improved well-being for individuals struggling with binge eating disorder.
@Krsh Welfare Foundation
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