You can find a lot of information on Binge Eating when you google it. Support Groups, doctors and ways to help over come it. Compared to anorexia and bulimia Binge Eating is the most common eating disorder among adults in the US. Yes, binge eating disorder is common in overweight or obese people, but majority of adults with B.E.D are not obese.
I believe kidshealth.org said it best, "Lots of people find comfort in food. After all, it's often at the heart of our happiest celebrations. ... But people with binge eating disorder have a different relationship with food, they feel like they've lost all control over how much they're eating. They can't stop"
I sometimes find myself doing well one minute and no exaggeration the next minute I am sitting on the couch surrounded by chip bags, candy wrappers and cookie crumbs. It is almost like I blacked out, I don't remember going into the kitchen and taking it. I don't remember eating it. Then after I feel like crap, and extremely disappointed in myself...I just eat more.
"Many say those who binge eat say that episodes can be triggered by feelings of stress, anger, sadness, boredom, or anxiety. However, even if someone feels better temporarily while eating, it's usually associated with feelings of distress. Most commonly, after a binge a person will feel anxious, guilty, and upset about losing control." - Kidshealth.org.
I remember this one time in middle school my "Aunt Flow" came to town. It was probably my 4th or 5th time getting it. I have always heard people crave things and "binge" when they are getting or get their period. That was the best thing I have heard, it gave me an excuse to binge without being judged or feeling like I had to hide it. I came home, scooped myself ice-cream, got out the chips and salsa, some cookies and a cup of coke (which was VERY rare to have in the house). I placed my ridiculous feast on the coffee table, pulled it closer to the couch, turned on my show and had at it. Looking back I can't comprehend it, I can't comprehend how and why I did it. My brother walked in and goes "Sam, we are going to have dinner soon!" I felt so judged in that moment and I thought well he is a boy and doesn't understand what I am "going through" I screamed back "I AM ON MY PERIOD NICK!"
About 2% (1-2 million) of American adults are in treatment. Majority of them say it started for them when they were children. Signs of B.E.D in children include:
-A child eating a lot of food quickly
-A pattern of eating in response to emotional stress, such as family conflict (ME!), peer rejection, or poor academic performance.
-A child feeling ashamed or disgusted by the amount they have eaten (ME!)
-Finding food containers or wrappers hidden in a child's room (ME!)
-An increasingly irregular eating pattern, such as skipping meals, eating lots of junk food, and eating at unusual times (like late at night)
Signs of B.E.D in adults:
-Regularly eating far more food than most people would in a similar time period under similar circumstances (occasionally Me)
-Feeling that one's eating is out of control during a binge time
-Being very upset by binge eating (Me)
-On average, binge eating takes place at least once a week for 3 months
-Unlike adults with other eating disorders, those with binge eating disorder don't routinely try to "undo" their excessive eating with extreme actions like throwing up or over-exercising. Binge Eating Disorder is not part of another eating disorder.
-Eating extremely fast (me!)
-Eating beyond feeling full (Me!)
-Eating large amounts of food when not hungry (Me!)
-Eating alone to hide how much one is eating (me!)
-Feeling bad about oneself after a binge (ME!)
I remember when I was younger (and honestly still did up until 2 months ago) I would wait until everyone was asleep. I would quietly leave my room, go in the kitchen grab a bunch of chips or cookies and go back to my room and eat until I literally couldn't eat anymore.
With any eating disorder, it's also important for a child to have psychological therapy for support and to help change unhealthy behaviors.
Binge Eating Disorder is a real medical condition and is the most common eating disorder in US adults. It is something that 2% of American adults live with, it takes many months of treatment and help to try to get past it! All of this information are things I just learned from reading many different websites. A lot of this information shocked me. Did it shock you, too?
Where I got my information from:
What is B.E.D?
B.E.D In Children
B.E.D
Eating Disorder statistics
Xx,
Sam
