Are You a Binge Eater?

Ever wonder if you have a serious problem with binge eating?

In the Harvard Mental Health Letter, I read a feature articleabout 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 leasttwice a week for 3 months. These episodes may be followed byvomiting or purging (with laxatives or diuretics) and mayalternate with fasting and compulsive exercising.

People who suffer from bulimia often view this behavior as ashameful secret.

Binge Eating Disorder (binging that is not followed by vomiting,fasting or exercise) has gotten more attention recently since itis being considered for inclusion as a psychiatric diagnosis.

The criteria are tentatively listed as "a condition that causesserious distress with at least 3 of the following symptomsoccurring at least 2 days a week for 6 months:

&bulleating very fast &bulleating until uncomfortably full &bulleating whennot hungry &bulleating alone &bullfeeling disgusted or guilty afterward

Since most of the population has probably engaged in theseeating behaviors at one time or another, I guess it comes downto the frequency and severity of the problem.

You can be a binge eater, but you would have to be binging quiteregularly 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 mostsatisfying 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 overweightor are worried that they will become seriously overweight.

Dieting does not necessarily stop the binging and is oftenviewed as being part of the problem rather than the solution.

The body resists dieting by slowing metabolism and increasingappetite, commonly accompanied by an intense preoccupation withfood, more binging, anxiety and depression.

If you are struggling with bulimia or severe binge eatingproblems, 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 theclub and keep reading . . .

You can learn to change all of these behaviors, even mild tomoderate binge eating by listening to your body, eatingmindfully and being kind to yourself.

Here's to getting the help you need, Carol