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The Essential Nature of Positive Relationships in Binge Eating Disorder Recovery
Feeling loved, connected and valued are basic human needs that we all have. No person is an island to themselves. The truth is we are all interdependent upon others to have satisfying personal relationships that lead to a fulfilling life which is why positive relationships in Binge Eating Disorder recovery are crucial.
Those struggling with binge eating disorder (BED) often find themselves isolating and withdrawing from social interactions in order to avoid food, feelings of self-consciousness and/or anxiety.
Consequently, that isolation increases stress which then often triggers the BED sufferer to seek comfort through binge eating.
Pleasure, Dopamine, and Oxytocin
Consuming highly palatable foods (particularly sugar-laden and processed foods) causes the brain to release dopamine – a feel-good chemical. The pleasure associated with dopamine release due to binge eating can easily become addictive and habitual for the binge eating disorder sufferer. Unfortunately, a pattern of binge eating is detrimental to one’s well being.
Interestingly, positive relationships that involve love and affection with family, friends, and pets produce oxytocin in the hypothalamus. Oxytocin stimulates dopamine production in our brain chemistry which makes us feel pleasure.
Oxytocin has been found to lower stress, improve mood, increase pain tolerance and reduce blood pressure. Here again, we see that pleasure associated with dopamine release and relationships can become habitual. However, in this case, it typically produces a more fulfilling life for the individual.
Isolation
Binge Eating Disorder can have devastating consequences in one’s relationships. Often inherent in binge eating disorder is a strong tendency to isolate. It is particularly difficult to break out of patterns of isolation because it generally means overcoming uncomfortable feelings in order to get back out there and socialize and positive relationships in binge eating disorder recovery can help.
If one is already feeling distressed just thinking of getting together with others, it can feel a bit overwhelming to actually take that first step toward socializing more frequently.
S
ome gentle ways to ease out of isolation and back into a more social lifestyle include:
1. Meet a friend or loved one for a brief period with a pre-established end time. This allows you to feel more in control and can help you hang in there, even if you feel very anxious, knowing that the get together will end soon.
2. Walk a dog. It gets you out of the house, increases your oxytocin to be near a beloved pet, and will likely cause you to cross paths with neighbors or others. Good news is you can stop and chat or keep going and have an easy excuse to keep moving if you feel uncomfortable relating.
3. Get a massage! This feels good and releases that lovely oxytocin, too. It provides valuable human touch, companionship and you can control the level of talking or interacting to your comfort level.
4. Make a phone call and become interested in how another’s day is going. This focus on the other helps to alleviate your anxieties and allows you to feel connected to another person.
5. Volunteer at an animal shelter, soup kitchen or food bank. You will be busy helping out and will only have to engage in light socializing with the other volunteers or fortunate recipients of your generosity. But, you will get out and about and feel that you are contributing meaningfully.
Know that you deserve to be loved and appreciated for the wonderfully unique person that you are. Often, a key piece of binge eating disorder recovery is making a concerted effort to develop supportive and nurturing relationships that can replace the void that binge eating used to fill. Food is wonderful, but it is a lousy substitute for love and friendship. Resolve today to connect meaningfully with others and strengthen your health and well-being.
Sources:
Greenblatt, J., & Taylor, V. R. (2014). Answers to appetite control: New hope for binge eating and weight management. North Charleston, SC: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
News in Health, February 2007 – National Institutes of Health (NIH). (n.d.). Retrieved February 22, 2016, from https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2007/february/docs/01features_01.htm
About the author:
Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC – Founder & Director
Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC 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. As president, Jacquelyn manages Ekern Enterprises, Inc. and the Eating Disorder Hope website. In addition, she is a fully licensed therapist with a closed private counseling practice specializing in the treatment of eating disorders.
Jacquelyn has a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree from The University of Phoenix and a Masters degree in Counseling/Psychology, from Capella University. She has extensive experience in the eating disorder field including advanced education in psychology, participation and contributions to additional eating disorder groups, symposiums, and professional associations. She is a member of the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), Academy of Eating Disorders (AED), the Eating Disorders Coalition (EDC) and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp).
Jacquelyn enjoys art, working out, dogs, reading, painting and time with family.
Although Eating Disorder Hope was founded by Jacquelyn Ekern, this organization would not be possible without support from our generous sponsors.
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on May 28, 2019
The EatingDisorderHope.com editorial team comprises experienced writers, editors, and medical reviewers specializing in eating disorders, treatment, and mental and behavioral health.
