Binge Eating Disorder (BED) & Compulsive Overeating

Overeating is a part of normalized eating at times. We all experience moments of enjoying more than needed with sometimes getting seconds or thirds of dishes we find especially yummy. This type of eating is usually easily dismissed since it is not a regular occurrence and done with more intention rather than feeling out of control and powerless around food. Although Binge Eating Disorder is the most common type of eating disorder, it’s often overlooked as a true eating disorder due to the regularity of occasional overeating by others in this fashion. However, Binge Eating Disorder crosses the line from harmless overeating to excessive overeating or binge eating due to a regular occurrence of behaviors and feeling out of control. Binge Eating Disorder also comes in any shape and size. Although it is not uncommon for someone struggling with BED to be overweight or obese, someone might also be at a healthy weight too. The confusing nature of BED, paired with shame and embarrassment, can be frustrating and hinder someone from seeking help. Some might further be confused on whether they have an eating disorder and would benefit from treatment when they do not binge eat, but instead struggle with compulsive overeating. Compulsive overeating is not always marked with specific binge eating episodes, but instead is regularly turning to food when not needed throughout the day. These moments of eating individually might seem normal, but strewn together throughout the day collectively is calorically far more than someone needs in the timespan of a day. Both BED and compulsive overeating can leave someone feeling helpless and alone in their struggles. As someone tries to remedy the effects of overeating they might turn to dieting and restriction, which only further drives someone to food. There is hope though! Working with both a therapist and a dietitian can break the cycles of eating that often lead to binge eating and overeating. Lotus Therapy Group also addresses the underlying issues causing someone to turn to food for comfort.