Why binge eating happens and how to stop it
It’s not uncommon to overeat on occasion. Most people have done it at least once. But for some people, overeating is a regular occurrence. It’s called binge eating, and it’s characterized by eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, often to the point of discomfort or distress.
Binge eating disorder is an eating disorder that is characterized by frequent and uncontrollable episodes of binge eating. It’s estimated that about 2% of American adults suffer from binge eating disorder.
While the exact cause of binge eating disorder is unknown, there are some potential contributing factors, including:
· Genetic factors – Some research suggests that there may be a genetic component to binge eating disorder.
· Psychological factors – People with binge eating disorder often have difficulty coping with stress and emotions. They may use food as a way to cope with negative emotions.
· Social factors – People with binge eating disorder may have a history of being teased or ridiculed about their weight. They may also have a family member with an eating disorder.
· Biological factors – Some research suggests that there may be a link between binge eating disorder and abnormalities in certain brain chemicals, such as serotonin.
There are a number of consequences associated with binge eating disorder, including:
· Weight gain – People with binge eating disorder often gain weight. This can lead to obesity and a number of associated health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.
· Emotional difficulties – People with binge eating disorder often have low self-esteem and may be depressed. They may also suffer from anxiety and stress.
· Health problems – Binge eating can lead to a number of health problems, including gastrointestinal problems, irregular menstrual cycles, and nutrient deficiencies.
If you think you may have binge eating disorder, it’s important to seek professional help. Treatments for binge eating disorder typically include a combination of psychotherapy and medication.
Psychotherapy can help you identify the thoughts and emotions that trigger your binge eating episodes. You can also learn healthy coping skills to deal with stress and emotions.
Medication can be used to treat some of the psychological symptoms of binge eating disorder, such as depression and anxiety.
If you have binge eating disorder, you can take steps to recover. The first step is to seek professional help. Once you’re in treatment, you can start working on making lifestyle and diet changes.
Here are some tips for making healthy lifestyle changes:
· Eat regular meals – Skipping meals can trigger binge eating episodes. Eating regular meals can help you avoid this.
· Eat mindfully – Pay attention to your hunger cues and eat only when you’re hungry. Don’t eat mindlessly in front of the TV or computer.
· Avoid dieting – Dieting can trigger binge eating episodes. If you’re trying to lose weight, focus on making healthy changes to your eating and exercise habits, rather than going on a diet.
· Exercise – Exercise can help you lose weight, improve your mood, and reduce stress. It can also help you have more energy and feel better about yourself.
· Avoid trigger foods – Trigger foods are the foods that you tend to binge on. Everyone’s trigger foods are different. Identify your trigger foods and avoid keeping them in the house.
· Find healthy coping skills – When you’re feeling stressed or emotional, find healthy ways to cope, such as talking to a friend, exercising, or journaling.
Making lifestyle changes can be difficult. But with treatment and support, you can overcome binge eating disorder and live a healthy and happy life. Published here
Learning to cope with triggers and cravings
Learning to cope with triggers and cravings
When it comes to triggers and cravings, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one person may not work for another. But there are some general principles that can help you manage triggers and cravings in a way that is effective for you.
The first step is to identify your triggers and cravings. Once you know what they are, you can begin to develop a plan to deal with them.
There are two types of triggers: those that are external and those that are internal. External triggers are things like seeing someone smoking or being in a place where you used to smoke. Internal triggers are things like stress or feeling bored.
There are also two types of cravings: those that are physical and those that are mental. Physical cravings are the ones you feel in your body. They can be intense and hard to ignore. Mental cravings are the thoughts or images that pop into your head. They may not be as strong as physical cravings, but they can be just as difficult to deal with.
Once you know what your triggers and cravings are, you can start to develop a plan to deal with them. Here are some tips:
-Avoid triggers. If you can, stay away from things that trigger your cravings. This may not always be possible, but it’s worth a try.
-Manage your environment. If you can’t avoid triggers, try to control your environment. For example, if you’re trying to quit smoking, don’t keep cigarettes in your house.
-Distract yourself. When a craving hits, try to distract yourself with something else. Go for a walk, call a friend, or read a book.
-Cope with emotions. A lot of cravings are triggered by emotions. If you can find a healthy way to deal with your emotions, you may be able to reduce your cravings.
-Get support. It can be helpful to talk to someone who understands what you’re going through. Friends and family can be a great support, but you may also want to talk to a counselor or join a support group.
Learning to cope with triggers and cravings takes time and practice. Don’t get discouraged if you have a setback. Just keep working at it and you will eventually find a way to manage your triggers and cravings.
We used mengeredstoo.co.uk to write this article about how to stop binge eating. Read Full Report.