What I Wish People Knew About Binge Eating

Spoiler: it's not a lack of will power or self-control.

Binge eating disorder is well documented and has had classification under the DSM for over two decades. Despite this, it remains one of the more misunderstood mental health conditions and is accompanied by a lot of stigma.

Binge eating disorder is considered eating large quantities of food in a short period of time multiple times a week. This comes with feeling like the sufferer is not fully in control in that moment. Many of my clients describe themselves as being 'in a trance' when they experience a binge, sometimes enjoying themselves in the moment, later to be filled with feelings of immense regret.

Binge eating is complex and there's a lot more to it 'eating less' or 'trying harder'. It normally takes my clients a long time to to seek help because of how much guilt and shame they feel. They can feel a lack of understanding from loves ones and may hide the behaviour altogether, which takes a ton of effort.

As an eating disorders nutritional therapist, there are lots of things that I wish people understood more about binge eating, but as a non-extensive list:

1. Binge eating often starts with restriction.

This may be an intent to want to change ones appearance and can be accompanied by trying to manage difficult feelings and emotions. There may have been a time when this way of eating worked and have helped with weight loss, but this can get harder to adhere to overtime as the body struggles to cope under that level of restriction.

2. Binge eating is not a lack of self control or willpower.

I've heard this countless times. My clients with binge eating tend to think that everything will be fine once they're able to just gain control of themselves, but that can't happen when eating is irregular and restrictive. The body has no sense when it's next meal will happen and it does not feel safe enough

3. Binge eating is not emotional eating.

There are emotions involved, but everyone at some point will experience emotional eating. That does not been you are subject to binge eating. Eating is emotional, whether it be celebratory or trying to comfort ones self through greif or loss.

4. Recovery isn't just about stopping binges.

It also means finding the right support to help you gain more coping mechanisms, and address what may be driving bingeing in the first place. Preventing binges is an important step to recovery, but it also helps to understand what the function of the binge is. Often this is unmet needs over a long duration of time which is not something that will go away with adequate nutrition.

5. Binge eating is not a moral issue.

Binge eating disorder is a mental illness, and having an illness is morally neutral. If you are someone who struggles with binge eating, please know that you did the best you could with the tools you had available to you. It is highly doubtful that you would have chosen this for yourself if there were other options.

The upside:

Binge eating disorder is something that can be recovered from and not something you do not have to live with. It does take effort and commitment, but can dramatically improve quality of life and help you understand yourself and your needs.

If you think you need support for an eating disorder, please do get in touch and I'll be happy to help point you in the right direction. For urgent help, please use the BEAT helplines: 0808 801 0677.

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