Binge Eating Recovery: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

In this blog, we’ll gently unpack what BED means, aiming to offer some clarity and hope on your journey towards healing.

What is Binge Eating Disorder (BED)?

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a serious mental illness where a person eats large quantities of food over a short period of time, without feeling like they are in control of what they are doing. It is an eating disorder that can affect anyone regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, weight or background.

Research suggests that it is more common than other eating disorders, affecting three times the number of people diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia combined. Furthermore, the NHS suggests as many as 1 in 50 people develop binge eating disorder at some point during their life.

Binge eating is not a choice for the sufferer and can be incredibly distressing. It can also lead to strong feelings of shame and guilt. Sufferers tend to describe a sense of disconnection through a binge; it may even be difficult to recall what was eaten afterwards. Many people find it difficult to stop eating during a binge even if they try to.

Quick Navigation

1. Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder
2. Causes of Binge Eating
3. Diagnosing Binge Eating: What to expect
4. Treating Binge Eating: Strategies and Approaches for a Lasting Recovery
5. Binge Eating vs. Other Eating Disorders
6. Who does Binge Eating affect?
7. How do I support someone with Binge Eating Disorder?
8. Binge Eating recovery stories
9. How can Natural Food Therapy help?
10. Frequently Asked Questions about Binge Eating Disorder

Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

Understanding the nuances of BED is crucial, not just for the individuals experiencing it but also for their loved ones and healthcare providers. In this section, we discuss the symptoms of BED, aiming to provide a deeper understanding and reassurance that you are not alone in this experience.

Behavioural indicators

BED is often hidden behind closed doors, with signs that can be subtle yet significant. These behaviours might include:

• Eating large quantities of food in a short period, often without physical hunger cues.
• Eating until uncomfortably full.
• Eating in secret or isolation, due to feelings of embarrassment or shame about the quantity of food consumed.
• Frequent dieting, which can perpetuate the cycle of bingeing.
• Stockpiling food and/or buying special foods, which may be intended for binge eating episodes.

Emotional signs

The emotional impact of BED is profound and these signs are often felt deeply and privately:

• Feelings of shame, guilt or disgust during or after the binge.
• A sense of loss of control during binges, feeling as though one cannot stop eating or control what is being eaten.
• Emotional distress or turmoil leading up to a binge.
• Depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, which may be both a cause and a result of binge eating behaviours.
• Preoccupation with eating, food or body shape or weight.
• Feeling deeply unhappy with or having a skewed view of your body shape.

Physical manifestations

While BED isn’t defined by physical appearance, it can manifest physically through:

• Gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating, pain, and indigestion.
• Weight fluctuations.
• Feeling tired.
• Not sleeping well.

Differentiating from occasional overeating

It’s important to distinguish binge eating from the occasional overeating that many people experience. While it’s common to overeat during celebrations or special occasions, BED involves regular episodes of eating large amounts of food in short periods, often accompanied by feelings of shame, guilt, and a lack of control. The key difference is the frequency, emotional distress, and the impact on one’s daily life and well-being.

If you recognise these symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, please know that help is available. BED is not about a lack of willpower or a choice; it’s a recognised mental health condition that requires compassionate, professional support.

Causes of Binge Eating

There is no single cause of Binge Eating Disorder, however below we explore some potential factors that can lie behind the illness:

Genetic factors

Research has shown that genetics can play a significant role in the development of eating disorders, including BED. If you have family members who have struggled with eating disorders or other mental health conditions, you might be more susceptible to developing BED.

This genetic link doesn’t mean that BED is inevitable, but it does highlight the importance of being aware of our mental health and seeking support when needed. Remember, having a predisposition towards BED doesn’t diminish your strength or capacity to overcome this challenge.

Psychological triggers

Some people find themselves turning to food in order to cope with strong thoughts, feelings or emotions that they are finding difficult to manage. This can happen because food is naturally comforting and many of us were raised with food being seen as a reward or a display of love. In addition, some foods release feel-good chemicals like serotonin, which can temporarily boost our mood.

As such, it may be understandable why food can so easily become a comfort blanket when difficult emotions arise. There is nothing innately wrong with food providing us some level of comfort, however when food becomes our primary or only way of coping, problems with binge eating can start to arise.

If this is something you have noticed in yourself, an important part of your healing journey will be to find new coping strategies and healthier ways to support yourself. The first step is to reach out to an eating disorder specialist who can support you through your journey. Working one-to-one with one of our eating disorder specialists you will develop a recovery plan tailored to your unique needs.

Additionally, our self-paced course, the Food Relationship Roadmap, offers a structured approach to building your own recovery plan with 12 modules, practical exercises, and more. This course allows you to transform your relationship with food and body at your own pace.

Environmental influences

Environment can significantly impact our relationship with food. Societal pressures, family dynamics/culture, and certain life events can all contribute to the development of BED. For example, living in a culture that places a high value on thinness or experiencing critical comments about weight can increase the risk of binge eating. It’s important to surround yourself with a supportive community that uplifts you and to remember that your worth is not determined by your appearance or eating habits.

Link to dieting and restrictive eating

Another route to binge eating disorder can be through restriction. Frequently, binge eating is triggered following an attempt to lose weight and undertake some sort of diet. When the body is not receiving the energy or nutrients that it needs, it tends to respond with intense hunger and food cravings, which can in turn trigger binge eating.

Sometimes restriction is not happening intentionally and restrictive behaviours may not be noticed by the sufferer. Some examples of food restriction may include:

• Opting for low-fat or low-calorie options
• Limiting certain foods or food groups
• Skipping meals
• Eating a certain amount of calories or macronutrients each day

Moving away from restrictive eating patterns and towards a more intuitive way of eating can be a transformative part of your recovery journey.

Diagnosing Binge Eating: What to expect

The process typically begins with an initial consultation with a healthcare professional, such as a GP, psychiatrist, or an eating disorder specialist. During this safe and supportive session, you’ll be encouraged to discuss your eating habits, emotional experiences around food, and any episodes of binge eating.

This conversation is aimed at understanding your experiences without judgement. A comprehensive medical assessment may follow to rule out any physical health issues, alongside a psychological evaluation to delve into the emotional and mental health aspects that may contribute to binge eating.

Receiving a diagnosis involves matching your experiences with specific criteria, like those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which includes looking at the frequency of binge eating episodes and the associated feelings of distress. While being diagnosed can stir a mix of emotions, it’s important to view this as a positive step towards recovery. It opens the door to exploring various treatment options tailored to your needs, offering a path to healing. Diagnosing Binge Eating: What to expect

Treating Binge Eating: Strategies and Approaches for a Lasting Recovery

Embarking on the path to recovery from Binge Eating Disorder is a courageous step towards regaining control over your eating habits and finding peace with food and yourself. Let’s explore approaches and strategies that can support a lasting recovery from BED.

Seeking professional help

The role of therapy, counselling, and coaching

Recovery from Binge Eating Disorder begins with reaching out for professional support. Engaging with a therapist or counsellor who specialises in eating disorders can offer you a safe space to explore the underlying causes of your binge eating, such as emotional distress, anxiety, or depression. Through personalised coaching, you can gain the tools and knowledge needed to build a healthier relationship with food and yourself, laying the groundwork for a lasting recovery.

Overview of available treatment options

A range of treatment options are available, tailored to meet individual needs. These may include outpatient programmes, inpatient care for more severe cases, and ongoing support groups. Each option offers different levels of support, from intensive medical and nutritional monitoring to peer-led groups and individual therapy sessions.

Importance of a multidisciplinary approach

Recovering from BED often requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining nutritional guidance, medical monitoring, and psychological support. This comprehensive strategy ensures that all aspects of the disorder—physical, emotional, and mental—are addressed, facilitating a more effective and sustainable recovery.

Personalised recovery strategy

Creating a supportive environment

Building a supportive environment involves surrounding yourself with people who understand and support your journey to recovery. This might mean family and friends, as well as finding community in support groups and your treatment team where you can share experiences and coping strategies with others who understand what you’re going through.

Developing coping mechanisms

Developing coping mechanisms to deal with emotional triggers, stress, and anxiety is a vital part of recovery. Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and stress management can be incredibly beneficial.

Establishing a healthy relationship with food

Central to recovery is establishing a healthier relationship with food. This involves learning to listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, understanding and respecting your body’s needs, and gradually reducing the fear and anxiety surrounding food. Personalised coaching or self-help courses can be instrumental in achieving this, helping you to embrace food as a source of nourishment rather than a source of distress.

Binge Eating vs. Other Eating Disorders

Distinguishing BED from compulsive eating, anorexia and bulimia

Binge Eating Disorder is when an individual frequently eats large amounts of food in one sitting and feels a loss of control during these episodes. Unlike compulsive eating, where someone might also eat large amounts without control, BED is marked by intense feelings of guilt, shame, or distress afterwards.

Anorexia Nervosa is quite different; it involves a strong fear of gaining weight, leading to severe food restriction and a distorted body image. People with anorexia see themselves as overweight, even if they’re underweight.

Bulimia Nervosa, on the other hand, includes cycles similar to BED, where someone eats a large amount in a short period. However, this is followed by compensatory actions, like vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise, which don’t typically happen in BED.

Overlapping traits and common misconceptions

Despite the clear differences among BED, AN, BN, and compulsive eating, there are overlapping traits and common misconceptions that can cloud our understanding and approach to treatment. All these disorders can involve periods of overeating, yet the context, motivations behind these behaviours, and subsequent reactions vary significantly.

A widespread misconception is viewing BED as a ‘lack of willpower’ or a disorder only related to food, ignoring the complex emotional and psychological factors at play. Similarly, equating BED solely with overweight or obesity overlooks its impact on individuals across all body types, much like the misconception that all individuals with AN are underweight.

By understanding these nuances and challenging misconceptions, we’re able to approach each individual with the empathy and tailored support they truly need for recovery.

Who does Binge Eating affect?

Binge Eating Disorder affects individuals across all demographics: age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, though it’s often observed in adolescents and young adults. While it may be more frequently discussed in the context of females, it’s important to recognise that males suffer from BED as well.

How do I support someone with Binge Eating Disorder?

Supporting someone with Binge Eating Disorder requires a compassionate, understanding approach, and an openness to learning. If you’re looking to support a loved one, here are some key tips to keep in mind:

1. Educate Yourself on Binge Eating Disorder: Start by deepening your understanding of BED. It’s a complex condition characterised not just by episodes of overeating but by feelings of loss of control, shame, and guilt. Learning about the emotional and psychological aspects of BED can help you empathise more effectively with what your loved one is experiencing.
2. Validate What Your Loved One Is Going Through: Acknowledgment and validation go a long way. Let them know you see their struggle and believe in their feelings.
3. Listen Without Judgement: Provide a safe space for your loved one to express their feelings and experiences. Listening without trying to fix the problem right away shows that you value their feelings and are there to support them unconditionally.
4. Don’t Use Shaming Language: It’s crucial to avoid comments that could be perceived as shaming. This includes remarks about their eating habits, weight, or appearance. Shaming language can exacerbate feelings of guilt and worthlessness, making recovery more challenging.
5. Don’t Be the “Food Police”: Avoid monitoring their eating or attempting to control their food intake. This behaviour can lead to increased stress and feelings of being judged, which might worsen the situation. Instead, focus on offering emotional support and encouragement.
6. Encourage Professional Help: Recovery often requires professional intervention. Encourage your loved one to seek help from a healthcare provider specialising in eating disorders. Offer to support them in this process, whether by researching specialists together or accompanying them to appointments.

Adopting these tips positions you as an important ally in your loved one’s path to overcoming BED. Consider booking a support session with an eating disorder specialist to explore more ways to help a loved one in their recovery journey.

Binge Eating recovery stories

On our testimonial page, you’ll find inspiring stories from individuals who have struggled with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and other eating disorders. We hope you find comfort in these stories knowing that you’re not alone and that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.

Listen to their stories here.

How can Natural Food Therapy help?

Natural Food Therapy is committed to guiding those with Binge Eating Disorder towards recovery through personalised, holistic support. Understanding the intricate nature of BED and other eating disorders, we limit our care to a maximum of five clients per specialist, ensuring that every individual receives the support they need to thrive.

We empower individuals with nutritional, emotional, and behavioural tools for a lasting change. If you or a loved one are seeking a path to a healthier relationship with food, remember, reaching out is a powerful step forward. Explore our Private Coaching, Self-Help Course, and supportive Free Resources to start your journey to well-being today.

Frequently Asked Questions about Binge Eating Disorder