Binge Eating Disorder Treatment
What is binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food, often in a short amount of time, resulting in painful discomfort. Binge eating disorder involves having a sense of loss of control while eating, which can elicit feelings of distress, guilt, and/or shame. If you struggle with eating until uncomfortably full, eating when not physically hungry, or eating alone due to feelings of embarrassment, therapy can help you.
What are the signs of binge eating disorder?
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Fear of eating in public or around others
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Frequently dieting
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Hoarding food
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Creating rituals for binge sessions
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Withdrawing from friends and activities
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Feelings of disgust, depression, or guilt after overeating
Binge Eating Disorder
Treatment
I use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindful eating to treat binge eating disorder. Developing the skills of self-compassion and learning the importance of not judging yourself are at the foundation of my treatment approach. I believe that disordered eating stems from having a history of trauma and is not due to having a lack of will-power or self-discipline as many often mistakenly believe. Trauma experiences vary widely between individuals. Some examples of trauma history that can prompt binge eating include being bullied as a child, experiencing verbal abuse from a parent, or from surviving a sexual assault. Consuming food becomes a way of coping. We call it “comfort food” for a reason.
Therapy starts by identifying the triggers for binge eating and then developing alternative coping skills. Next, learning to attune to your own body’s natural signals and choosing to eat because you’re physically hungry, not emotionally hungry, is the next step. Throughout the course of therapy, I provide non-judgmental and compassionate care. My goal is to help you develop the skills of self-compassion and self-love to find ways to nourish yourself.
Please contact me if you believe I could be a good fit for you.