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How can family and friends help someone with binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder is a serious, life-threatening eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period of time followed by a feeling of shame, guilt, or distress. Families and friends can play a vital role in helping someone with binge eating disorder recover.

The first step is to educate yourself about the disorder. This will help you understand your loved one’s experience and know how to best support them. It’s important to remember that binge eating disorder is a complex illness with many underlying causes. There is no single cause and no easy fix.

Your loved one may be ashamed or embarrassed about their binge eating and may not want to talk about it. It’s important to create a safe, non-judgmental environment where they feel comfortable talking about their experiences.

Encourage your loved one to see a mental health professional specializing in eating disorders. Treatment generally includes some form of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and may also include medication.

As their recovery progresses, there are a few things you can do to support their journey. First, avoid food-related conversations and comments. This includes making comments about their appearance, body, or weight. Second, don’t make assumptions about their eating habits or food preferences. Let them make their own choices about what and how much to eat. Finally, be patient. Recovery from an eating disorder is a long process. There will be setbacks, but ultimately, your loved one will recover and lead a healthy, happy life. Full Article

What is binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by periods of uncontrolled, often rapid, consumption of large amounts of food. These binge eating episodes are typically followed by feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment. Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 3.5% of women, 1.5% of men, and 1.6% of adolescents. While the cause of binge eating disorder is not fully understood, a number of factors – including genetics, brain chemistry, psychological factors, and societal pressure to be thin – are thought to contribute to its development.

Binge eating disorder is more than just occasionally overeating or eating large portions. Binge eating episodes are characterized by a sense of loss of control over eating. During a binge, a person may eat even when they’re not hungry – and they often continue eating until they’re uncomfortably full. People with binge eating disorder may eat very fast during a binge, and they may eat until they’re so full that they feel nauseated or physically ill. Binge eating episodes are typically followed by feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment.

While the cause of binge eating disorder is not fully understood, a number of factors – including genetics, brain chemistry, psychological factors, and societal pressure to be thin – are thought to contribute to its development. Some people with binge eating disorder may have a history of yo-yo dieting, which can lead to a feeling of loss of control over eating. Dieting can also trigger binge eating episodes, as can stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional difficulties.

Binge eating disorder is treatable. A combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication is often most effective. With treatment, people with binge eating disorder can learn to control their eating and develop a healthier relationship with food.

We used mengeredstoo.co.uk to write this article about overcoming binge eating disorder. Original Article.