How to deal with triggers that may lead to binge eating.
Binge eating disorder is a severe, life-threatening and treatable eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food (often very quickly and to the point of discomfort); a feeling of a loss of control during the binge; experiencing shame, distress or guilt afterwards; and not regularly engaging in compensatory behaviors (such as purging) like those with bulimia nervosa. While there is no one cause of binge eating disorder, triggers can play a role in exacerbating the condition.
External triggers are outside cues that lead to binge eating, such as being around certain people, places or foods. For example, you may binge eat when you see your favorite food advertised on TV, smell freshly baked cookies in the mall or feel stressed out at a party surrounded by hors d’oeuvres. External triggers are often associated with negative emotions like anxiety, sadness or boredom.
Internal triggers are feelings, thoughts or emotions that lead to binge eating. For example, you may binge eat when you feel overwhelmed, sad, angry or anxious. You may also binge eat in an attempt to numb difficult emotions or to avoid dealing with a problem. Internal triggers are often more subtle than external triggers and can be more difficult to identify.
Whether external or internal, triggers can lead to binge eating. However, there are ways to deal with triggers that may help prevent a binge.
Here are some tips:
Identify your triggers. This is the first step in learning to deal with triggers. Keep a journal of your binge eating episodes and try to identify any patterns or triggers. Once you know what your triggers are, you can begin to work on avoiding or managing them.
Avoid your triggers. If possible, avoid the people, places and things that trigger your binge eating. This may mean avoiding your favorite TV show that always seems to make you crave unhealthy foods or avoiding going to parties where you know you’ll be tempted to overeat.
Manage your triggers. If you can’t avoid your triggers, try to manage them in a way that doesn’t lead to binge eating. For example, if you get triggered by stress, try to find healthy coping mechanisms like exercise, yoga or deep breathing exercises. If you get triggered by certain foods, try to eat them in moderation or not at all.
Talk to someone. Triggers can be difficult to deal with on your own. If you’re struggling to manage your triggers, talk to a therapist, doctor or another trusted professional. They can help you develop a plan to deal with your triggers and avoid binge eating.Extra resources
The importance of seeking professional help if you feel you are struggling to stop binge eating.
Binge eating is a real and serious problem that many people struggle with on a daily basis. It can be hard to control and can lead to serious health problems down the road. If you feel like you are struggling to stop binge eating, it is important to seek professional help.
There are many reasons why someone might binge eat. It could be due to an underlying psychological issue, such as depression or anxiety. It could be a coping mechanism for dealing with stress or other difficult emotions. It could also be a side effect of certain medications. Whatever the reason, it is important to get help if you are struggling to control your binge eating.
There are a number of serious health consequences that can result from binge eating. These include obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal problems. Binge eating can also lead to low self-esteem and body image issues. If you are struggling with binge eating, you are at risk for developing these serious health problems.
Seeking professional help is the best way to deal with binge eating. A professional can help you understand the root cause of your problem and develop a plan to address it. They can also provide support and guidance as you work to overcome your binge eating.
If you feel like you are struggling to stop binge eating, seek professional help. There are many resources available to you, and you don’t have to struggle with this problem alone.
We used mengeredstoo.co.uk to write this article about help to stop binge eating. Published here.