Learning how to stop binge eating can be difficult. When someone lives with binge eating, they often consume exceptionally large amounts of food. Even when they feel full, it may seem impossible for them to stop eating. By learning how to stop binge eating disorder (BED) at a professional treatment program, individuals can start living a healthier lifestyle.
Red Oak offers a binge eating disorder treatment program at our campus in North Carolina. We specialize in helping young men 18-30 overcome eating disorders, mental health conditions, and addiction issues through our clinician-led programs. Get started today by calling 828.382.9699.
What Is Binge Eating?
Just like binge drinking, binge eating is when a person excessively consumes food. While everyone overeats from time to time, people who compulsively overeat all of the time have a binge eating disorder. They may not understand what makes them continue to overeat. It may also feel impossible to control the urge to eat.
While some individuals who struggle with binge eating are obese or overweight, this is not true for everyone. People who have this disorder may eat unusually large amounts of food in a short amount of time. They may eat when they are uncomfortably full or not hungry. The individual may also eat alone or in secret. Afterward, they may feel upset, depressed, disgusted, or ashamed about their eating habits.
Binge Eating Disorder in Men
Young men may feel like they are less likely to develop binge eating disorder because it is often seen as a “woman’s disease.” However, rates of eating disorders among men are increasing more quickly than among women, and BED is the most common eating disorder among men. This may be due to the societal pressure for men to have a certain body type and the stigma surrounding eating disorders in males.
If you’re a young man struggling with BED, you are not alone. Eating in private because of shame, guilt, or embarrassment—or planning large meals, timing certain medications, or hoarding food—does not have to be your default. Compassionate, effective help is available.
Addressing the Underlying Cause of Binge Eating
To stop binge eating, a person needs to understand why they are engaging in it. There are reasons people binge eat that relate to hunger. However, most often, this is not the case. Many people eat to cope with their feelings or because they struggle to manage stress. They might eat because food feels good or because a full stomach can feel better than the stress of being hungry. More so, many people eat to self-medicate mental health conditions.
Coping with Mental Health
Those who have anxiety, depression, or past trauma are most likely to engage in binge eating. They do so as a way to cope with their feelings and emotions. Eating may be a form of distraction or may offer a sense of enjoyment that isn’t present at any other time. Because food should be seen as harmless and is often easily accessible, it can become the sole source of self-soothing or relief from stress for individuals with underlying mental health conditions.
Seeking Professional Help
BED treatment may not be as straightforward as many people think. Since there are so many potential underlying causes and triggers, professional help is crucial. At Red Oak Recovery®, we offer a customized treatment approach that addresses each individual’s unique needs and struggles. Our team of compassionate clinicians, therapists, and nutritionists work together to create a comprehensive plan for recovery that focuses on long-term goals and sustainable results.
How to Stop Binge Eating Disorder: The First Steps
Binge eating disorder is a psychological condition. A person with it needs proper professional treatment to manage it. When you work with a therapist, it is possible to manage co-occurring mental health conditions that may trigger compulsive eating. Yet, there are some things you can do to stop binge eating. Some of the strategies a person can use at home right away include:
- Avoid fad diets that are too limiting and often result in binge eating when they become impossible
- Don’t skip meals, but eat smaller portions and meals throughout the day
- Be mindful of everything consumed, including the size of the portion and the reason for eating
- Stay hydrated, which can help to create the full sensation that many try to fill during binge eating
- Remove high-risk foods that make it hard for a person to avoid overconsumption
No one has to learn how to stop binge eating alone. At Red Oak Recovery®, young men can recover from eating disorders in a gender-specific environment. Our hybrid program combines wilderness therapy with traditional clinical therapy for an exceptional treatment process.
Call Red Oak Recovery®
Learning how to stop binge eating disorder means working closely with your therapist. BED treatment involves numerous treatment options designed to empower you to make better decisions. It addresses the cause and provides solutions and strategies to avoid ongoing binge eating. When you are ready for change, reach out to Red Oak Recovery®. Call us at 828.382.9699 or connect with us online.
