Binge eating disorders are increasingly common throughout the United States. This disease is characterized by the compulsion to consume abnormally large quantities of food and a feeling of being out of control. People with this disorder may eat quickly during binges until uncomfortably full, eat when they aren't hungry, or eat alone out of embarrassment. Though the majority of binge eaters are obese, the disorder itself stems from something far past the physical surface. Fortunately, people who seek treatment for this illness are often able to overcome it and regain control.
Instructions
1. Seek professional help to end a binge eating disorder. It is crucial to see a health care professional who can diagnose the disorder and chart a course of treatment. If you're visiting your general physician, you may need a referral to a psychiatrist or psychologist.
2. Follow the treatment prescribed by your health care professional. A common remedy for binge eating disorders is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps patients control their eating habits and turn them into healthier ones. This type of therapy also deals with the emotions that trigger binge eating and offers solutions to help cope with the urge to binge. Other courses of treatment include interpersonal psychotherapy, which deals with a patient's interpersonal relationship problems, and the use of antidepressants.
3. Work with your doctor to identify the feelings that lead to incidents of binge eating or the way you feel during and after a binge. Revealing these underlying feelings to your doctor or in a journal is often the key to being able to differentiate between physical hunger and emotional hunger.
4. Keep in mind that you are not alone, and that the majority of people suffering from binge eating disorder need help to overcome it. Know that most people who undergo treatment for this disorder are able to end their binge eating.
5. Consult with your doctor about a nutritional plan and lifestyle habits that can put you back on track toward a happy, healthy life, especially if you are one of many binge eating disorder sufferers who is also obese.
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