Accurate information & challenging misconceptions is an important first step in getting treatment for binge eating disorder. The phrase “binge eating” gets used a lot in the media & pop culture. I have gathered some common myths about binge eating disorder (BED) that I have seen over my 15 years of working with clients with eating disorders.
We are knee-deep in the diet culture. Messages about what we should and shouldn’t eat are everywhere: social & print media, TV, on food labels and even well-meaning friends and family.
We forget that food is necessary to survive. Food is not optional. Dieting makes us think we can go without carbohydrates, fats or other food groups. But, we just can’t. Food and eating are not about willpower, it is about biology.
The most basic function of our brain is to keep us alive. When our basic needs are not being met, our bodies experience stress. Our brain sends us alerts to get us what we need. Most diets aren’t sufficient in energy (calories) or macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein & fat). Therefore, our brains alert us that we need to eat.
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Anxiety disorders are one of the most common types of mental health disorders in the U.S. They affect up to 18% of the U.S. Population. There are several different kinds of anxiety disorders including panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalized anxiety disorder. In this post, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) will be discussed. GAD affects approximately 3.1% of the population. Women are more likely to experience GAD than men.
We all experience worry from time to time. It is normal to feel anxious before a test, a job interview or other big events. Normally, after the event, like a first date for example, the worry disappearsContinue reading
Among clinicians, there is much debate if food addiction is a bonafide diagnosis. Some believe absolutely food can be addictive. In fact, science shows that our brains are activated in the same way it is with drugs when we eat highly palatable, good tasting food.
People who describe themselves as food addicts have a compulsive drive to eat, even when they are not hungry. Eating, perhaps, to soothe emotions or to “check-out”. Short-term overeating feels good. But, long-term it can feel pretty uncomfortable. There is a sense of loss of control described by people who feel like they are food addicts. Furthermore, attempts to stop overeating are made, but with little success. Sounds similar to drug or alcohol addiction, right?
Who doesn’t want to be perfect, right? What’s wrong with perfectionism? We all want things to go well for ourselves in our career & school and personal lives. Setting high standards can lead to high achievement.
Perfectionism, on the other hand, is striving for things to be perfect in most aspects of life, all of the time. And when things don’t go perfect, as things often don’t in life, the person who suffers from perfectionism is self-critical and blaming. This self-criticism, which often is intended to motivate, actually leads to poor self-esteem, extreme fear of failure and procrastination (“I can’t do it perfectly, so I won’t try”). Perfectionism is a losing proposition. We are human. We are going to make mistakes. Being perfect all of the time is an impossible standard to meet. Studies show that perfectionism can lead poor self-esteem, burn-out, procrastination, chronic stress, poor relationships, depression & anxiety, eating disorders and increases the risk for suicide.Continue reading
Tired of dieting? Want to learn how to feel in control around food again?
Intuitive Eating was introduced in my post, Get Off the Diet Roller Coaster, For Good! In this second post of the series, I will summarize the 10 principles discussed in Intuitive Eating that helps readers learn to stop dieting and enjoy eating again!Continue reading