Binge eating? Here's some food for thought...

When clients identify binge eating as something they want to tackle, they often go on to explore what the underlying causes can be. Binge eating is a symptom of something which is driving us to eat in a way which is out of control.

Often we eat for comfort. It's a way of getting our needs met. So when we feel anxious or stressed we are more likely to reach for the biscuit barrel.

If we are to change our behaviour we need to explore what is causing us to feel anxious or stressed. When we do so, we can begin to break out of what may have become a vicious cycle.

In therapy it often transpires binge eaters are so overloaded in their heads with things to do, people to please, deadlines to meet and bills to pay filling up with comfort food also gives a 'lift' (such as sugar) which somehow eases our stress and anxiety. In reality of course it only makes things worse.

In order to get back on track we need to take a look at what is going on in our lives. Therapy helps us to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Are we really getting our needs met? Or are we meeting everybody else's needs and putting ours at the bottom of the shopping list? The next question is: why are we doing this? Do we really want to change the way we see ourselves?

If we keep putting others before ourselves, our eating habits are likely to stay the same. And we may continue to feel worthless, not good enough, second rate.

A good therapist can help to change our thought patterns. This can change the way we feel about ourselves and the way we behave. Many clients discover not only do they get control over their eating habits, but over other parts of their lives too.

Now that's comforting food for thought, isn't it?