Debunking the Myth: Why Binge Eating Disorder Is Not About Willpower

Time and time again, I hear from patients “I just don’t have self-control“. “I don’t know how to stop this“. “Once I start, there’s no stopping.”“It’s an out of body experience…sometimes, I don’t even realize how much food I’ve consumed”

Often times, it can seem super overwhelming to figure out how to hit the “pause button” during a binge or ignore the compulsions to binge. Sometimes binges are planned and sometimes a well intended plan to sit down for a meal results in a binge.

It is super important to understand the causes of binge eating disorder. Binge eating disorder is two-folded. It’s both mental and physical. Therefore, the only way to treat BED is to treat both the mental and physical with A therapist specializing in eating disorders And a registered dietitian or nutritionist specializing in eating disorders. Without these two components, it Will be very difficult to recover. Binge eating disorder SHOULD not be treated with diet and exercise. If anyone tells you this, please run for the hills!

We have to understand that people who struggle with binge eating disorder often times struggle with an underlying anxiety or depressive disorder, using food as a means to “calm“ anxiety and “numb out“ depressive symptoms. It is also important to understand, if someone is struggling with binge eating disorder, it is not a lack of willpower. Eating disorders are a mental illness which accompany obsessions and compulsions in relation to food. In addition, people who struggle with BED often carry Around a great deal of untreated shame.

Written By Nicole Paolucci LMHC

If you or anyone you love struggle with binge eating disorder, please reach out. Help is available.
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