5 Ways To Stop Binge Eating

These 5 ways to stop binge eating involve things you can do for yourself and several things that require the help of others. Binge eating is defined as a major eating disorder where a person cannot stop eating. The person may eat a regular meal in front of others, but at some point the person begins eating, usually in secret, large quantities of food. This compulsive disorder is the most common of all eating disorders, according to one of the largest medical clinics in the United States. 

1. See a medical doctor. Binge eating is not "cured" in the traditional sense of disease, such as a cold or influenza. The condition requires diagnosis by a trained medical professional as soon as you suspect you might have a problem. Symptoms include eating large quantities of food when you aren't hungry, eating fast during a binge episode and eating alone, sometimes hiding stashes of food. If you feel your eating is out of control, the first way to stop binge eating is to see a doctor. 
2. Attend counseling. As part of treatment, the medical doctor may encourage you to attend counseling sessions. This may include group discussions with other people who binge eat or it may also include individual sessions with a therapist. The first thing the sessions will emphasize is that the condition offers a challenge, but with help, it's treatable. There are sessions offered that don't require payment, which is sometimes a part of a school or medical clinic program. 
3. Accept the problem as treatable. The causes of binge eating are complex and include biological, environmental and psychological factors. Emotions and feelings are tied up closely with overeating. Once you set your mind that the condition is a medical problem that can be treated, you're on your way to a healthy treatment plan. The program may not be easy to maintain and you may end up having binge periods along the way, but as long as you stay motivated for the long haul, that's the important motivation. 
4. Get help for related issues. Binge eating is usually associated with other mental health conditions that also require treatment. Depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, body pains, headache, suicidal feelings, diabetes, gallbladder disease and insomnia are all related to binge eating. These conditions may trigger binge eating or the eating may create the other problems. Getting professional help for the related problems will help in dealing with the eating disorder. 
5. Get distracted. Focus your attention on other areas of your life. If you have few outside interests, start with one and develop a variety of activities. Find a hobby. Volunteer at a local nonprofit that asks you to get out and help building housing for others or teach a young child to read. Spend time out in the community doing things you like such as gardening, sorting library books or working on making local walking trails. Offer to help out on projects away from food. Helping others will also put your problems in a global perspective. One of the ways to stop binge eating recommended by one large medical clinic is to take up yoga as a distraction. This activity releases depression and relaxes the body.