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Understanding Compulsive Overeating
Binge eating disorder, or BED follows predictable
patterns. Compulsive overeating patterns can be understood
by following the diet/binge
cycles described below on this page. You may stay in one
cycle or mover repetitively back and forth between the two,
alternating perioids of compulsive overeating with periods
of compulsive
restriction, or you may never restrict, although the wish
to do so is part of what drives the bingeing. Whichever pattern
you follow, understanding the triggers to your eating and
being able to slow down the binges are the key to breaking
the cycles.
Let’s start by defining compulsive eating as
any eating out of relation to physiological hunger and satiation.
This means that anytime one eats for reasons other than hunger
or bringing hunger to satiation, we say that eating was compulsive
in nature. Which is to say we all eat compulsively at times
(i.e. for reasons other than physiological hunger).
People with eating problems, however, eat compulsively
consistently and feel terrible shame about both the behavior
and the effects of the behavior (perceived or real) on their
body size. In fact, each compulsive eating episode tends to
be accompanied by a great deal of shame, as shown in the cycles
below. Indeed it could be said that shame is the main ingredient
that turns a "normal" experience of compulsive eating into
a repetitive anguished pattern.
Diet/binge
cycles
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About the Author:
About the Author: Judy Lightstone - MA,, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; specializing in eating
disorders and dissociation - has been providing psychotherapy
for the past 21 years and training professional therapists
for the past 19 years. In her Berkeley private practice, she
currently specializes in treating eating disorders, trauma
survivors, and working with couples and families. Patients
describe her as gentle and compassionate in a strong way,
tempered by an easy sense of humor. She helps you become more
conscious, and offers support and advocacy as you learn to
live with greater awareness of yourself and the world. She
stays clear and focused so you can better access your inner
strength and wisdom. For more information visit Judy's website
www.psychotherapist.org
or call (510) 704-0940 in Berkeley, CA.
© by Judy Lightstone, 2001
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