Treatment and Medications for Binge Eating Disorder

If you are suffering with binge eating disorder, there are many outlets available offering help. Know that you are not alone, and you are worth the fight to end your struggle with binge eating. It is time to take control of your life, and be happy and healthy. The different methods of how you can seek help for binge eating will be explained.

What are My Options?

In order to get your binge eating under control and start losing weight, there are steps you must take in order to identify the factors that are causing such behavior. Seeking out a therapist has been proven effective for binge eaters. Therapy will allow you to discuss your concerns with a therapist and possibly learn about the underlying factors contributing to your binge eating. Ultimately, therapy will focus on your relationships and what they mean to your binge eating. You are likely to find that some of your relationships or past relationships are harming your psychological health, and are contributing to your binge eating. Through therapy, you will also learn to change certain thoughts and behaviors that may be preventing you from overcoming binge eating disorder.

binge eating

In addition to therapy, you may be prescribed medications designed to help you lose weight or control moods associated with binge eating disorder. These medications should not be taken without supervision from a therapist. The reason you should not use these medications without supervision from a therapist is because you may suffer from side effects that may put you at an increased risk of suicide. However, the combination of psychotherapy and prescription medication has been proven effective, and you will likely see your binge eating episodes greatly diminish.

Another strategy to use in ending your struggle with binge eating is to schedule your eating times and avoid foods you would normally binge on. Staying on a schedule will regulate your body on when to start feeling hungry and when to feel full. Also, do not under eat. Under eating is not a healthy approach. You need a daily amount of calories and nutrients in order to live healthily. You may even wish to ask your doctor if you are receiving proper nutrients as many with binge eating disorder take in an excess of fat and calories, but not enough of other needed nutrients. Moreover, under eating will cause you to feel hungrier and may cause you to sway off your schedule. You can lose weight without under eating.

Of course, another great approach to losing weight is through exercise. Exercising has also been proven effective in reducing stress, which is often a contributing factor to binge eating episodes. Finally, a method to avoid is taking dietary supplements without first consulting your doctor. Those with binge eating disorder very often abuse dietary supplements, so it is vital to ask a professional before going on any diet plans.

Conclusion

Although fighting your battle with binge eating may seem overwhelming, you are not alone. There are many outlets available that will allow you to get the help you need in order to be happy and healthy. It is highly recommended that you seek out professional help from a therapist. If you are prescribed medication, you should not neglect your therapy sessions as the medication may have side effects that are dangerous without proper supervision from a professional. Remember that you are worth the fight against binge eating disorder.

 

 

 

How to Prevent Getting Binge Eating Disorder.

For some, eating can be of serious concern, especially for binge eaters. Binge eating is the excessive consumption of food in short intervals of time. After binge eating, you will usually experiences feelings of shame and regret. However, there is likely an underlying factor contributing to your binge eating. It will be explained how you can prevent binge eating before it starts.

How Can I Prevent Myself from Binge Eating?

One way to prevent binge eating is to follow an eating schedule. You should not under eat. Under eating will only make you feel hungrier, and is not at all healthy. Scheduling your eating times and eating healthily is a good plan if you wish to end your struggle with binge eating. Do not be overly concerned with your weight, as this will only cause you further stress. Instead, you should focus on eating healthily and staying on schedule with your eating times. After all, worrying will not help you lose weight.

binge eating

You should also recognize what triggers your binge eating or if you are binge eating due to past trauma. Many with binge eating disorder seek out professional help to identify the underlying causes of their eating disorder. You should not be ashamed of seeking professional help as many are in your same situation and need similar help. You deserve to start living a happy, healthy life. Professional help will allow you to change your thoughts and finally be free of what is causing you to binge eat.

Another strategy to preventing yourself from binge eating is to not be around foods you are likely to binge on. Also, many suggest that you find something other than food to give you happiness. Perhaps you enjoy some other activity that can replace eating, such as exercise or painting. Participating in relaxing activities may also allow you to prevent binge eating. Deep breathing, music, or conversing with friends can be a perfect way to calm you. Once you feel the urge to binge eat, you should begin participating in some relaxing activity so as to prevent binging.

If you find yourself beginning to binge eat, try to control your thoughts. You are not a hopeless cause if you begin to binge eat, and can stop midway through. All you must do is learn to relax and control your thoughts in these stressful situations. For this reason, it is vital to seek professional help to learn how to control these urges.

Conclusion

There is much you can do to prevent binge eating. Replacing food with something that will bring you equal or greater pleasure is a great strategy, but of course, do not abuse what you replace food with. Also, seeking professional help will allow you to identify and be free from the factors that are causing you to binge eat. Finding methods of relaxation and changing your thoughts are all part of the process of finding happiness. If you struggle with binge eating, there is no reason to simply accept the situation. Know that you are not alone, and there is plenty of help available to you. You are worth overcoming binge eating.

 

 

Differences between Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder

Now that eating disorders such as bulimia and binge eating are gaining popular attention, a question many have is, “What are the differences between bulimia and binge eating?” The definitions and causes of bulimia and binge eating will be explained.

What are the Differences?

Binge eating is characterized by excessive eating followed by feelings of shame and guilt, whereas bulimia is most simply defined as the obsession over one’s body image. Bulimia is a bit more complex of a disorder, and according to many psychologists may soon be characterized as a delusional disorder. Thus, bulimia will be discussed last.

binge eating

Binge eating is often the result of underlying causes. If you suffer from binge eating, it is likely that you have experienced past trauma, depression, stress, anxiety, or other psychological hindrances. Oftentimes, individuals find comfort in food, and eat in order to relax and distract themselves from trauma, stress, and/or anxiety. It is interesting to note that if you struggle with binge eating but not depression, you may still be prescribed an anti-depressant by your therapist. The reason for this is that both binge eating and depression are partly caused by a deficiency of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates energy and hunger. Anti-depressants increase your levels of serotonin so that your hunger will be better regulated. Binge eating may also be caused by biological factors. If someone in your family had binge eating disorder, you are at an increased risk of binge eating. Although the results are not conclusive, studies have also shown that binge eating may be partly caused by mutations in proteins that regulate blood sugar and metabolism.

Now bulimia will be discussed. As stated earlier, many psychologists are stating that bulimia may soon be listed as a delusional disorder instead of an eating disorder. Those who are bulimic obsess over their body image. Also, they often eat excessively then vomit voluntarily. Those who struggle with bulimia do not see themselves as meeting the societal expectations of beauty, regardless of how thin they are. Most with bulimia will be dangerously thin, yet state that they are “too fat” or not beautiful enough. The image of beauty in pop culture today has stressed that being thin is the essence of beauty. If you are bulimic, however, you will feel that you must be beautiful, and thus must be thin. Regardless of how thin you are, if you are bulimic, you will feel as though you are never thin enough to meet the societal expectations of beauty.

Underlying factors contributing to bulimia are often past trauma, low self-esteem, depression, and other factors. The most effective treatment for bulimia is to seek out a therapist. In doing so, a therapist will help you identify the underlying factors to your condition. Treatment for bulimia may last over a year, but you will likely see improvement at least within the first few months of treatment.
If you suffer from bulimia and self-induce vomiting or abuse diuretics, you are likely at a serious risk of dehydration. Bulimic behavior is everything but healthy. If you are struggling with bulimia it is vital that you visit you doctor or seek out professional help as dehydration can lead to serious health risks.

Conclusion

Both binge eating disorder and bulimia are serious conditions that require immediate attention. If you struggle with either of these conditions, it is vital that you seek out professional help. You deserve to be happy and healthy, and finally be free to see that you are truly beautiful.

 

 

Common Causes of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating is characterized by excessive eating followed by feelings of guilt. If you struggle with this behavior, it is important to know that you are not alone, and there are many others struggling with a similar condition. However, your case is unique, so it must be handled uniquely. No one case of binge eating is the same. The first step to healing is finding the cause of your binge eating. It will be explained what the likely contributing factors to your binge eating may be.

Why am I a Binge Eater?

Most conditions are caused by both biological and psychological factors, and binge eating is no exception. First, the biological factors will be discussed. Research has found that one of the areas of the brain controlling hunger is misfiring in those with binge eating disorder. It is possible that this area of the brain is not allowing you to feel full. Studies have also shown that serotonin deficiency may play a role in causing excessive eating. For this reason, your psychiatrist may prescribe you an anti-depressant for your binge eating, as anti-depressants will increase your levels of serotonin. It should be no surprise that those with binge eating disorder often suffer from depression, as one of the causes for depression is a deficiency of serotonin.

binge eating

Another possible biological cause of your binge eating is due to your genes. If you have a family member who was a binge eater, you are at an increased risk of binge eating. Although the research is recent and not yet conclusive, studies have also shown that mutations in proteins that regulate blood sugar and metabolism are possible causes of binge eating.

The psychological factors that may be contributing to your binge eating disorder will now be discussed. As was stated above, if you suffer from depression, you are at an increased risk of suffering from binge eating disorder partly due to your deficiency of serotonin. There are other contributing factors as well. If you suffer from binge eating disorder, it is likely that you struggle with low self-esteem, anxiety, and/or loneliness. As a result, you may be binge eating in order to comfort yourself from these overwhelming feelings. Another factor may be the environment you were raised in. Studies have shown that those who were raised in families that tend to overeat are at an increased risk of binge eating. Finally, sexual abuse and other traumas has shown to put one at a significantly increased risk of binge eating.

Conclusion

Binge eating, as other disorders, is a result of both biological and psychological factors. Some biological factors have shown to be a deficiency in serotonin, a history of binge eating in your family, and mutations in proteins regulating blood sugar and metabolism. As for psychological factors, there are an abundance of possible causes including depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, loneliness, past environment, and past trauma. These are all common causes of binge eating disorder. You should know that you are not alone in fight against binge eating, and there are many outlets in which you can seek help. It is recommended to seek professional help in order to uncover the underlying causes of your binge eating. Also, you may receive therapy that will allow you to make peace with your past experiences. Life is too short to waste; it is time to be happy. You are worth the fight.

 

Dangers of Binge Eating

If you are struggling with binge eating disorder, you are not alone. There are many outlets available that offer you support. Many are ashamed of seeking out help, but it is vital that you fight your binge eating disorder, as it may be detrimental to your psychological and physical health. The consequences of binge eating will be discussed to inform you on the harm that it is causing on your health.

What are the Consequences of My Binge Eating?

There are many possible dangers to your physical and psychological health associated with binge eating disorder. Your binge eating is causing an increased risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as your diet is likely to contain high amounts of salt and saturated fat. Binge eating also puts you at serious risk of heart disease due to the high amounts of fat being consumed. As a binge eater, you may also consume an excess of carbs and sugar, which can lead to Type II diabetes.
The most obvious physical effect binge eating will have is weight gain. If you are gaining weight due to your binge eating, this is a definite warning sign of possible illness later on. Gaining large amounts of weight from an unhealthy diet puts you at serious risk of the diseases listed above. It also puts you at risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, sleep apnea, and other illnesses. Weight gain will also put you at risk of arthritis and join pain as your body is carrying more weight than it is meant to handle.

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One of the most serious consequences to your binge eating can be developing certain cancers. Cancer cells feed off of sugar, which is often a main part of a binge eater’s diet. It is vital that you cut down on your sugar intake, and visit a doctor for suggestions on dieting as binge eating puts you at an increased risk of cancer. Your doctor will greatly aid you in losing weight, and may refer you to a therapist to help you fight back against binge eating.

There are also many psychological consequences to binge eating. If you struggle with binge eating, it is likely that you suffer from stress, depression, anxiety, and/or drug abuse. Binge eating will add on to the stress and anxiety that you are already feeling, as you are plagued by feelings of shame and guilt after each binge eating episode. Depression is also commonly associated with binge eating, as both illness are partly caused by a deficiency in serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter associated with energy and hunger regulation. This is the reason your therapist may prescribe you an anti-depressant if you are struggling with binge eating even if you do not have depression, as anti-depressants increase your levels of serotonin.

Binge eating has also shown to increase your risk of suicidal thoughts. If you are having suicidal thoughts, you should seek out professional immediately. There is no shame in seeking out professional help, as many are in a similar situation. Moreover, many see progress in their behavior within the first few weeks of therapy.

Conclusion

It has been shown that binge eating can have detrimental effects on your physical and psychological health. The best approach is to seek out professional help from a therapist so as to get to the root cause of your binge eating. Although you may have doubts, you are worth the fight over binge eating. It is time to live happily.