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How would you describe what binge eating is?

learntolovetheburn15
learntolovetheburn15 Posts: 157 Member
edited November 2024 in Social Groups
I am beginning to think that i might have a problem with binge eating. How would you describe a binge eater or someone suffering from the disorder?

Many thanks

Replies

  • BarneyRubbleMD
    BarneyRubbleMD Posts: 1,092 Member
    I am beginning to think that i might have a problem with binge eating. How would you describe a binge eater or someone suffering from the disorder?

    Many thanks

    As a start, see how you score on the Binge Eating Score (BES) test...

    https://psychology-tools.com/binge-eating-scale/

    Two years ago when I was diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder (BED), I scored rather high on this test. Now that my binge eating has been under control for over 2 months (my last binge was May 7th), my score is quite low.

  • Moxie42
    Moxie42 Posts: 1,400 Member
    For me, the main "sign" is the feeling of being out of control followed by feelings of shame, embarassment, and guilt.

    I'll eat far past the point of fullness, eating even though I don't even really want to, or I'll eat literally anything and everything I come across. I'll be telling myself "stop doing this" but continue anyway. Sometimes I even feel sick by the end of it.

    And I always feel reallllly guilty...not just the "bummer, I made a bad decision" guilt that happens if I go "off-plan" or make a poor decision, but the self-loathing type of guilt because I feel like a failure and a disgusting person. Those feelings lead to hiding the "evidence"- I'll throw things away in the outside garbage can, or eat in my car and throw the garbage out at a gas station. Sometimes the binges are planned- if I know I'm going to be home alone, I might buy large quantities of food as soon as I get the chance. If I do this at a drive-through I'll get 2 drinks to pretend I'm buying for 2 people, or if I get delivery I'll yell "food's here!" to the empty house so the delivery guy doesn't think it's all for me.
  • BarneyRubbleMD
    BarneyRubbleMD Posts: 1,092 Member
    Moxie42 wrote: »
    For me, the main "sign" is the feeling of being out of control followed by feelings of shame, embarassment, and guilt.

    I'll eat far past the point of fullness, eating even though I don't even really want to, or I'll eat literally anything and everything I come across. I'll be telling myself "stop doing this" but continue anyway. Sometimes I even feel sick by the end of it.

    And I always feel reallllly guilty...not just the "bummer, I made a bad decision" guilt that happens if I go "off-plan" or make a poor decision, but the self-loathing type of guilt because I feel like a failure and a disgusting person. Those feelings lead to hiding the "evidence"- I'll throw things away in the outside garbage can, or eat in my car and throw the garbage out at a gas station. Sometimes the binges are planned- if I know I'm going to be home alone, I might buy large quantities of food as soon as I get the chance. If I do this at a drive-through I'll get 2 drinks to pretend I'm buying for 2 people, or if I get delivery I'll yell "food's here!" to the empty house so the delivery guy doesn't think it's all for me.

    @Moxie42 ,

    That "out of control" feeling is the worst!...almost like a drug addiction but with food & food that's everywhere, all around us & easily available. For me it always seem to happen with high-carb items like bread, crackers, minute rice, instant mashed potatoes, cake cookies, etc. but NEVER something like meat, vegetables or even fruit.
  • KnitOrMiss
    KnitOrMiss Posts: 10,103 Member
    @BarneyRubbleMD - Look up dopamine receptors and carbs... Keto Christina on YouTube has a great video (you don't have to be low carb in any way to appreciate her information) about how the dopamine addiction response/instinct and it overriding EVERYTHING is NOT your fault, etc.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80c3VTbIiYE
  • BarneyRubbleMD
    BarneyRubbleMD Posts: 1,092 Member
    Thanks, @KnitOrMiss
This discussion has been closed.