Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge eating?
In a recent issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter, I read a feature article about the treatment of bulimia and binge eating.
Bulimia is defined as 2 or more episodes of binge eating (consuming a large amount of food in 2 hours or less) at least twice a week for 3 months. These episodes may be followed by vomiting or purging (with laxatives or diuretics) and may alternate with fasting and compulsive exercising. People who suffer from bulimia often view this behavior as a shameful secret.
Binge Eating Disorder (binging that is not followed by vomiting, fasting or exercise) has gotten more attention recently since it is being considered for inclusion as a psychiatric diagnosis.
The criteria are tentatively listed as "a condition that causes serious distress with at least 3 of the following symptoms occurring at least 2 days a week for 6 months:
? eating very fast
? eating until uncomfortably full
? eating when not hungry
? eating alone
? feeling disgusted or guilty afterward
Since most of the population has probably engaged in these eating behaviors at one time or another, I guess it comes down to the frequency and severity of the problem. You can be a binge eater, but you would have to be binging quite regularly to be considered to have Binge Eating Disorder.
Many people engage in some of these behaviors all the time. People who live alone often eat alone. And while eating when you aren't hungry is not the most satisfying experience, sometimes it is just an ingrained habit.
You do not have to be overweight to be a binge eater. Many people with binge eating problems think they are overweight or are worried that they will become seriously overweight. Dieting does not necessarily stop the binging and is often viewed as being part of the problem rather than the solution.
This article pointed out that the body resists dieting by slowing metabolism and increasing appetite, commonly accompanied by an intense preoccupation with food, more binging, anxiety and depression.
If you are struggling with bulimia or severe binge eating problems, seek help and get the support you deserve. Don't keep it a secret. You do not need to be heroic and suffer alone.
If you engage in some of the binge eating behaviors, join the club and keep reading . . .
You can learn to change all of these behaviors, even mild to moderate binge eating by listening to your body, eating mindfully and being kind to yourself.
Here's to getting the help you need,
Carol
Carol Solomon, Ph.D. is a psychologist and personal coach who specializes in helping people who want to lose weight and eliminate food and weight issues.
By going from food obsessive to charge neutral (i.e. Did I eat today?), she became dedicated to making it easy for others to step off the vicious cycle and live free of anxiety about food and weight.
She is the author of "Lose Weight Now Stay Slim Forever," a practical "how-to" manual for learning to lose weight without dieting.
Sign up for her free email newsletter, Slim Forever at: http://www.lose-weight-now-stay-slim-forever.com http://www.lose-weight-now-stay-slim-forever.com http://www.lose-weight-now-stay-slim-forever.com
home cleaning services Deerfield ..Fat Loss Tip #2) Drink More WaterI know, I know,... Read More
We have such good weight loss intentions. We emotionally beat... Read More
Just like any other diet, the Atkins diet can become... Read More
A client wrote, "Help me! I thought I was finally... Read More
Eating when under stress isn't just about filling an emotional... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
I'm sure you already know that weight loss and improved... Read More
Liposuction works best with people who are a normal weight... Read More
There's no way you can separate the Jack LaLanne diet... Read More
Many people want to lose a few of those annoying... Read More
Weight Loss Surgery (WLS) is often viewed as a quick... Read More
"I never saw it coming, how did I get so... Read More
It has been 15 years since I was diagnosed with... Read More
Weight loss is a hot topic among people today, especially... Read More
Obesity is quickly becoming the number one health issue confronting... Read More
When you begin the decision making process to have Weight... Read More
If you're like me, you probably wish that there was... Read More
Close kept secrets to weight loss: Give me 9 days... Read More
When on a diet, snack attacks can hit hard and... Read More
Have you ever received those tempting ads that seem to... Read More
Being over weight is usually being 20 percent or more... Read More
There are many diets, all of which boil down to... Read More
Like many people I've been on dozens of diet plans... Read More
As I was saying in my past articles, others have... Read More
If I Want to Lose Weight, What Can I Do... Read More
recurring housekeeping Highland Park ..Body wraps can help tone and tighten the skin, improve... Read More
It is important that the public not only understand the... Read More
Cellulite ? a word most women are very familiar with.... Read More
Flip through a magazine, scan a newspaper, or channel surf... Read More
Do you know what the words really mean on food... Read More
Lets face it, most of us live pretty busy lives... Read More
Diet Fads-Forget about 'EmAnother fad "best diet" bites the dust.... Read More
WOW!! Here we are on lesson #10. Hasn't it been... Read More
"Life would be perfect if only I was thin." That... Read More
There's a two hundred year history of people prescribing both... Read More
A calorie is the unit used to measure the energy... Read More
The Secrets have been in our family recipes, some even... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
There are several theories on the origins of Valentine's Day.... Read More
Stomach-Stapling Surgery ------------ There's no doubt that stomach-stapling surgery leads... Read More
The overweight and obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem. There... Read More
In the early weeks after having weight loss surgery almost... Read More
You have noticed your obese friend suddenly slimmer. You want... Read More
These days, most everyone has heard of low carb diets... Read More
What is negative calorie effect? Whatever food we eat,... Read More
If you have ever been snow skiing you know that... Read More
The Atkins diet can be boring because of the limited... Read More
A pound of fat represents approximately 3500 calories of stored... Read More
If you knew when you were going to die, would... Read More
A healthy pregnancy almost always involves weight gain. But now... Read More
Weight Loss |