If you frequently eat until you’re about to burst or can’t help but polish off an entire sleeve of Oreos in one sitting, you might wonder, “Do I have a binge eating disorder?” Just about everyone overeats from time to time, especially when they’re around treats that they don’t typically consume. Binge eating disorder became official in 2013. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, it’s one of the most prevalent eating disorders in the U.S. today.
Do I Have A Binge Eating Disorder? Symptoms
Binge eating disorder does involve overeating. People with the disorder consume significantly more food than the average person eats during a two-hour period. They also feel like they can’t stop or control how much they’re eating.
Have you ever considered, “Do I have a binge eating disorder?” Ask yourself whether you:
- Have binged on food at least once a week for at least three months
- Eat quicker than normal
- Consume food to the point of discomfort
- Eat excessive amounts of food even when you’re not hungry
- Feel emotionally distressed as a result of your eating habits
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might want to talk to a professional with experience treating eating disorders.
Do I Have A Binge Eating Disorder Or Something Else?
The symptoms of binge eating disorder may overlap with those of other eating disorders or mental health issues. For example, WebMD reports that one-third of Americans say that they eat to manage stress. Stress or anxiety may not trigger people with binge eating disorder.
One vital sign that you might have binge eating disorder is that you don’t take unhealthy measures, such as vomiting, to purge food after a binge. Trying to combat binge eating is a symptom that we often associate with bulimia, which is also a severe and life-threatening disease.
Individuals with binge eating disorder may restrict their food intake when they’re not binging to make up for the extra calories. Dieting can exacerbate this type of eating disorder.
Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder
Binge eating disorder occurs along with other mental health conditions. The guilt and shame that surround the eating habits of people with this disorder can produce ongoing depression or anxiety.
Substance use may also take place along with binge eating disorder. Certain drugs affect appetite. For example, marijuana can increase appetite and lead to uncontrollable episodes of overeating. Stimulants can reduce appetite, leading to excessive, disordered eating when the individual is not under the influence.
Eating disorder treatment should focus on developing a healthy relationship with food and address any co-occurring mental disorders. Red Oak Recovery® helps young people heal from a variety of mental health issues, including binge eating disorder and the struggles that come with it.
We’re a binge eating disorder treatment center in addition to a rehab facility. We are redefining the clinical experience with our holistic young adult rehab programs, which include approaches such as:
- Family therapy
- Nutritional therapy
- Adventure therapy
- Wilderness therapy
- Experiential therapy
- Trauma therapy
We understand that everyone’s needs are different. We want you to focus on what you require for optimal healing. If you wonder, “Do I have a binge eating disorder?” call us at 866-457-7590 to find out how we can help you on your journey to recovery.
