Are Bingeing and Anxiety related?

Imagine this:  

-         3 pints of ice cream 

-         A box of Oreos biscuits with peanut butter 

-         A small pack of Triscuits 

-         5 spoonfuls of mayo straight from the jar 

-         2  bags of chips 

No, we are not talking about a weekly bakery list. The above is just an evening’s list of food for a person suffering from binge eating disorder.  

Binge eating is anxiety driven. Depression and stress also plays a prominent role. Binge eating is particularly high in people who have suffered extreme trauma in their childhood. Sexual abuse is a recurring cause, since people try to wolf down the self-loathing they feel. Work related anxiety is another popular reason for gorging. Even people who have been on a restrictive diet or are anorexic swing the other way and get into binge eating.  

In these cases, people experience such intense and pervasive anxiety that they feel unable to cope with daily challenges. In a study published by the Harvard University affiliated MacLean Hospital, researchers found that a binge could make the person take in anywhere between 3,000 – 10,000 calories in one sitting! According to Nancy Merrill, co-director of the SMU Memorial Health Center , people who are on a binge “go into a zone” and are unaware of what they are tucking into. They just don’t know what they are eating or how much is going inside. They eat until they can eat no longer. That is why most people who suffer from binge eating disorder end up obese. The few who do not have found a way to purge. 

Unfortunately, anxiety feeds on binge eating. After the victim has gorged on food, they feel angry with themselves for the binge. There is self-loathing and guilt for the inability to deal with the issue. This again leads to anxiety. As you can see, the stage is set for the next anxiety attack, guilt trip and binge-eating episode.  

Binge eating and anxiety are very closely related. Once a person finds relief for anxiety through food, it becomes a habit. Thus, anxiety is often the cause as well as the result of binge eating.  

To see how you can reduce anxiety and stop bingeing, get a copy of the Emotional Eating Solution, a powerful guide to stop binge eating forever.