Binge eating is categorized oas a mental health disorder that involves uncontrollable eating, stimulated by feelings or emotions, or craving for unhealthy foods.
According to the BEAT, an eating disorder charity, 1.25 million people in the United Kingdom are suffering from an eating disorder, with binge eating accounts for 22 percent of these cases.
The Sun report specified that most people will have overeaten at some point in their lives. Whether it be excessive food consumption at the weekend with friends or going beyond on the film snacks.
According to hypnotherapist and Fresh Forward founder Emily Hall, binge eating is "uncontrollable eating" where one feels so consumed and overwhelmed by the desire of eating that when he starts, he can't stop, eating huge amounts of food in quick time frequently even when not hungry.
Overeating may be a key characteristic of such an eating disorder, the mind plays much more of a role though than it would if one was to eat too much food at dinner, for instance on a Saturday night.
Binge Eating
Hall explained that the food eaten by binge eaters can frequently be sugary, sweet foods that typically leave a feeling bloated and rotten subsequently with self-loathing and shame due to this individual's actions.
She added sufferers, in general, don't have any idea why they're doing it and even less idea how to control or stop it. They feel powerless over food, elaborated the hypnotherapist.
Continuing to describe binge eating, Hall said it is absolutely linked to emotions including feeling stressed, lonely, sad, or even bored. These all stimulate binges, Global Herald specified in a similar report.
A major trigger for binge eating, according to the expert is stress as it discharges more cortisol, the stress hormone, and the mind then needs to equalize that with the feel-good hormone known as "serotonin." One of the fastest and simplest ways to do that is with food as it provides that "instant fix."
Because of this, stress reduction is the utmost to help prevent the so-called food urges. Hall divulged that other reasons for binge eating, which is detailed in the Mayo Clinic website, comprise low self-esteem and having a "poor relationship with yourself," as again, the stress hormones are stimulated by one's negative thoughts, so he eats to feel better.
Common Signs of Binge Eating
Whether one is suspecting he is experiencing an eating disorder, or if he suspects a loved one is experiencing it, there are some indications to watch out for.
The most evident indication is someone who eats a large amount of food in a short amount of time although many binge eaters will conceal their issue and eat secretly.
Other indications comprise buying large amounts of unhealthy foods like cakes, chocolates, sweets, and crisps, being unhappy, anxious or depressed, irritability, bloating, and skin problems.
Binge eaters, Hall explained won't in generally eat in front of others as they are saving the calories for a binge, and they frequently avoid social events, especially where there is food involved.
Even though one might think binge eating would result in weight gain, the expert said this is not always the case. One can still have a binge eating problem and not be overweight.
Binge Eating Prevention
It's not the body that's craving unhealthy food, it's the mind and thus one has to work with his mind first in order to overcome the problem of binge eating.
A chaotic mind corresponds to chaotic eating and thus improving one's relationship with himself and reducing stress are both important. One effective way to prevent binge eating is for one to connect with his emotions. This will help him unravel what's driving such behavior.
Related information about the signs and symptoms of binge eating disorder is shown on the Eating Recovery Center's YouTube video below:
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