Components Helpful to Binge Eating Disorder Recovery
Binge eating disorder (BED) is believed to be one of the most prevalent eating disorders, particularly in the United States. As with all other eating disorders, binge eating disorder is about more than food. BED is a serious mental health condition characterized by uncontrollable, recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption. Recovering from an eating disorder is a complex process that requires the help of a specialized eating disorder treatment team. Below are some important components for recovery.
by: Yasmeen Alhaj
It’s rare to find a person that doesn’t have some level of food rules that have been ingrained in their subconscious starting from a very early age. Beliefs about food could be passed on from different outlets, including family members, friend groups, popular culture, and the media. In a society that values thinness and dieting, we are told that food is meant to be controlled, and that binge eating is a direct result of a lack of control. That is not the case. Moreover, binge eating is often shamed and joked about on social media, and as a result, that could lead to many people not seeking treatment. The truth is that being sick with an eating disorder is never the individual’s fault, and recovery is always possible with the right guidance.
Seeking nutritional counseling is helpful to understand how a person’s relationship with food has developed over the course of a person’s lifetime. As mentioned in Binge Eating Disorder — Why Can’t I Just Stop Eating?, there are many reasons why a person could develop BED. Through nutrition counseling, a dietitian is able to assist a person struggling with binge eating to learn more about how food is being used as a coping mechanism, as well as uncover rooted beliefs about food. By diving into any pre-existing food restriction or food rules, the dietitian helps the client challenge those beliefs.
Programming and creating structure with food, as well as other life activities, has shown to leave a positive impact on clients’ overall wellbeing. Designating a special time for eating is helpful to promote mindfulness around food, which allows the client to observe their hunger and fullness cues in order to restore their mind-body connection. Any emotions that come up during this process can be addressed with the client’s therapist to get to the grassroots of the thoughts emerging.
Therapists work with clients to focus on how to add coping mechanisms to the client’s toolbox. Binge eating is often used as a way to ‘numb out’ feelings, so holding space for the clients to express those emotions is a key component to recovery. During those sessions, the client explores problem-solving skills that they can apply to use in other parts of their life. Since the two components of nutrition and psychology intertwine a lot, having that collaboration between dietitians and therapists is an important part to reaching full recovery.
If you or someone you know is struggling with binge eating disorder, getting help as soon as possible is key to a full recovery. At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center, we treat the spectrum of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, compulsive overeating, and other disordered eating behaviors and body image issues. Currently, we are offering a range of programs and services catered to helping individuals struggling with binge eating. RSVP to our Binge Eating Webinar to learn more about why you may be struggling with emotional eating or binge eating disorder and how to put an end to the cycle. In Virtual Nutrition Counseling, you will work closely with our highly trained Registered Dietitians to customize a program and meal plan specific to your needs. Contact us below for more information!
This post was written by BALANCE Admissions Intern, Yasmeen Alhaj.
Having battled with body image issues, fat phobia, and eating disorders herself, Yasmeen is passionate about advocating for fat positivity, eating disorder awareness, body neutrality, and fighting diet culture. She is currently a graduate student obtaining her M.S. in clinical nutrition at NYU, and she hopes to work as a Registered Dietitian with a focus on Eating Disorders in the future.