Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder among adults in America. Recovery from binge eating disorder takes time and careful treatment to assess physical, mental, and spiritual health.
First, you need to recognize that your binge eating episodes are out of your control. Eating disorders are highly stigmatized and shamed in society because it is difficult to understand how people lose control over food. Why can’t they just stop when they’re full? Don’t they know it isn’t good for them? Anyone who has indulged in too much food can understand what it is like to feel like you “just can’t help yourself” when it comes to food. People who struggle with binge eating disorder experience this on a greater level. Psychologically, the connection between their minds and their stomachs is gone. They know they are full. They even experience the pains of being too full, but they cannot stop eating. Periodic bingeing is normal and experienced by many people. Chronic bingeing which results in feelings of shame or guilt and happen as a result of not wanting to deal with negative emotions, indicates an actual disorder which has become out of control. A great indicator for losing control over eating is as simple as this: you’ve tried to stop and you can’t. You are not alone.
Second, you need to seek professional help. Eating disorders can be deadly. Heart complications become more likely when someone is struggling with any eating disorder, especially binge eating disorder. You need to seek professional help in many areas because eating disorder must be treated holistically- mind, body, and spirit. Taking time to enroll in a treatment program is a way many people with binge eating disorder are able to find relief from their disease. Residential treatment programs or other levels of care like an intensive outpatient program will provide the psychotherapy, medical guidance, exercise, diet, nutrition, and spiritual development you need to fully recover. Eating disorders affect you mind, body, and spirit. Professional help will encourage you to approach all three areas concurrently, allowing you to fully recover and learn to manage your cravings while living in balance with body and food.
Lastly, you need to be patient with yourself. Recovery from eating disorders is challenging. While a drug addict doesn’t have to choose drugs and an alcoholic doesn’t have to choose alcohol, you do not have the luxury of abstaining from food. Food is essential for living. It is going to take time and work to develop the necessary skills for living without relapse in recovery from an eating disorder. Be patient with your recovery and be patient with yourself. You can do this.
Our integrative approach to residential treatment has earned us international recognition for clinical excellence. Cottonwood Tucson is a trusted provider for eating disorder treatment and recovery. For information on our residential treatment programs, call us today at (888) 727-0441.
