Why Does Bingeing Happen?
Binge eating doesn’t come out of the blue – there are usually identifiable triggers that precede an episode. These triggers may include: Strong Feelings – emotional triggers are very common, hence the term ’emotional eating’. Very strong negative feelings, such as depression, anxiety, frustration, or insecurity, can act to trigger a binge episode. On the other side of the coin, positive feelings can also be associated with binge eating – feelings of happiness, joy, or celebration can trigger binges. Learning to eat in response to hunger, not emotions, is a key part of cognitive behaviour therapy for binge eating. Thinking and Feeling Fat – times when the person may be experiencing a strong sense of being overweight, or ‘feeling fat’, can be a common trigger. If the person has gained a little weight, this can exacerbate the ‘feeling fat’ state and increase the likelihood of a binge. Irregular Eating – Many people with disturbed eating have very irregular eating patterns. Often, they go
