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Dieting and Binge Eating Disorder: When Attempting to Lose Weight Only Fuels Binge Eating Disorder
Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope
Our society is saturated with countless diet fads:
- Low-carb
- High carb
- Low calorie
- Juice diets
- Tea detoxes
- Vegetables only
- Fruits only
For any individual who may be attempting to lose weight, the plethora of information that is available is confusing and overwhelming to say the least. Even if you are not looking to diet or lose weight, being surround by the dieting message can lead to insecurities about ones body and self.
Many individuals who struggle with binge eating disorder may find themselves in a similar position. While not all individuals who are dealing with binge eating disorder are overweight, feeling a lack of control over one’s body and food is a common experience with this eating disorder.
Is Dieting A Solution?
Dieting can seem like a temporary solution of finding a sense of control in the midst of chaos and irregular eating patterns. For the person who has suffered with binge eating disorder, dieting may seem like answer to many difficulties that arise.
However, dieting in any form does not address the root causes of binge eating disorder and can further exacerbate the many symptoms that are experienced. Many people mistake binge eating disorder as an issue of lack of self-control or willpower, but this severe mental illness is much more complex than what may be revealed on the surface level.
Dieting, in any shape or form, can further trigger a person who is struggling with binge eating disorder. Since many diets involve some form of deprivation, a person with binge eating disorder can be further triggered to eat to a point of feeling out of control from physical hunger alone.
Dieting is not a solution to anything by any means. If you are struggling with binge eating disorder and subsequent weight gain, it is most effective to address your concerns with a professional treatment team who can help you find healing and recovery in all aspects, including:
- Physically
- Emotionally
- Psychologically
- Spiritually
Do not allow yourself to fall into the dieting trap, which can only prolong your and intensify what you may already be struggling with.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
What do you think are the negative effects of dieting on those who struggle with binge eating disorder?
Jacquelyn Ekern founded Eating Disorder Hope in 2005, driven by a profound desire to help those struggling with anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder. This passion resulted from her battle with, and recovery from, an eating disorder.
