If you feel any of these things, it’s best to start keeping notes of each episode. You should also schedule an appointment with a physician. A few details to discuss with the doctor include:
- The length of each binging episode
- How long you have been dealing with binge eating
- What was happening in your life when you noticed the binge eating started
- How you felt during and after binge eating
READ: Supplement Abuse: A New Eating Disorder Among Men
BED is treatable and very manageable, according to BingeEatingDisorder.com. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most widely-used therapy which encourages regulating eating habits by setting realistic eating goals, self-monitoring and modifying any negative self-perceptions.
Then there is Interpersonal Therapy, which is recommended for people who binge eat to cope with an underlying social problem, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy for people who binge eat to cope with a painful emotional experience.
Keep in mind, BED is a relatively new disorder. Some doctors may be learning more about the disorder just as you are. Continue to ask questions and discuss any research or news you may have read online or seen on TV. Speak out about any specific symptoms you feel. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for referrals to specialty doctors if you feel your physician didn’t answer all of your questions.
Download a BED Symptoms Checklist here.
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Is Your Love For Food Actually A Binge-Eating Disorder? was originally published on blackdoctor.org
