What is Binge Eating Disorder?

"You just need to control yourself," they say. "Just make good food decisions," they say. "Eat smaller portions," they say. But what happens when it's above and beyond self control? What does it mean when we let our emotions and moods control our decisions? It might just be Binge Eating Disorder. What is Binge Eating Disorder (B.E.D.)? The Mayo Clinic defines it as so:

Binge-eating disorder is a serious eating disorder in which you frequently consume unusually large amounts of food. Almost everyone overeats on occasion, such as having seconds or thirds of a holiday meal. But for some people, overeating crosses the line to binge-eating disorder and it becomes a regular occurrence, usually done in secret. When you have binge-eating disorder, you may be deeply embarrassed about gorging and vow to stop. But you feel such a compulsion that you can't resist the urges and continue binge eating. If you have binge-eating disorder, treatment can help

So what does this mean? This means you rely on food to comfort yourself and even if you know it's wrong and deep down inside your subconconsious is begging you not to do it, you do, because for a brief moment the food you eat during that binge is going to make you feel good. Now think about it, what other negative things in life make people act and respond that way? Alcohol? Drugs? Cutting? Yes, Yes, and Yes! Food may not be addictive, but our minds make it addictive. Everyone has different opinions on people who are considered to have "addictive personality's" and I am not here to argue about it, but I believe in addictive personality's. So what are some symptoms? Back to the Mayo Clinic:

You may have no obvious physical signs or symptoms when you have binge-eating disorder. You may be overweight or obese, or you may be at a normal weight. However, you likely have numerous behavioral and emotional signs and symptoms, such as:

• Eating unusually large amounts of food,

• Eating even when you're full or not hungry,

• Eating rapidly during binge episodes,

• Eating until you're uncomfortably full,

• Frequently eating alone,

• Feeling that your eating behavior is out of control

• Feeling depressed, disgusted, ashamed, guilty or upset about your eating

• Experiencing depression and anxiety

• Feeling isolated and having difficulty talking about your feelings

• Frequently dieting, possibly without weight loss Losing and gaining weight repeatedly, also called yo-yo dieting

After a binge, you may try to diet or eat normal meals. But restricting your eating may simply lead to more binge eating, creating a vicious cycle.

On top of all that, think about all the things you do to hide eating. Do you often binge eat in your car so people won't see you eat? Do you buy more food at a fast food restaurant and eat some of it in the car so others won't see how much you binge eat? Do you like to binge eat after people you live with go to bed or leave? It's little things like that to think about. If you feel like this explains you, please seek professional help from you doctor or therapist. You can find more information at www.mayoclinic.com/health/binge-eating-disorder/DS00608