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A Therapist’s Take on Over Eating, Emotional Eating, and Binge Eating Disorder
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a serious mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, often to the point of discomfort or pain. These episodes are accompanied by feelings of shame, guilt, and loss of control.
BED can come in the form of emotional eating or bored eating as well as intentional bingeing. It is important to approach BED with a Health at Every Size (HAES) perspective, which recognizes that health is not determined solely by body weight, and that everyone deserves access to compassionate and effective care, regardless of their size.
The HAES approach to treating BED involves working with a team of healthcare providers to address the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of the disorder. This may include therapy to address the underlying emotional triggers of binge eating, as well as medication and other treatments to manage symptoms.
In addition to treating BED, the HAES approach also recognizes the importance of promoting body positivity and acceptance, regardless of body size or shape. This means challenging the societal norms and biases that perpetuate weight stigma and discrimination and promoting a culture of acceptance and respect for all bodies.
Often, when I work with clients struggling with bingeing, they call it “overeating”. This in itself is often rooted in shame or guilt. We start by exploring the emotions attached to the behaviors and begin to dismantle food and food behaviors from values of ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
One of the key principles of the HAES approach is to focus on behaviors, rather than weight or body size. This means encouraging individuals to adopt healthy habits, such as regular exercise that they enjoy and can engage in for joy, rather than punishment. Clients are often encouraged to work with a dietitian to practice eating a balanced diet, without focusing on weight loss as the ultimate goal, but rather the foods that promote internal health and make them feel best. By focusing on behaviors rather than outcomes, individuals with BED can achieve improved health and well-being without the added pressure of weight loss.
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating or emotional eating, it’s important to seek out compassionate and effective care. With the HAES approach, you can receive the care and support you need to manage symptoms and improve your overall well-being, while also embracing a more positive and accepting attitude towards your body. Remember, health is about so much more than body weight – it’s about taking care of your mind, body, and soul, and living your best life at any size.
