Some people describe binge eating as "I eat one biscuit and then feel like I need to I eat them all". While eating like this is unhelpful and I do help with this in the standard weight loss program, on this page I am referring to binge eating as an uncontrollable urge to eat and while sweet foods may be part of this problem, usually any food will do when the urge to eat strikes, where a person over eats until they feel sick, stuff or over filled. A binge eater may be over weight but quite often they are not, and it is the feeling of being out of control and the constant thinking about food that is the major concern.
While some people only binge eat, others also have compensatory behaviours afterwards, such as purging, which when diagnosed by a doctor is often referred to as bulimia. From my perspective they both involve a compulsion, just with the second, it is also followed by guilt and a thought or feeling that either the food was disgusting or eating food in that way was disgusting or I feel horrible now.
When you have a compulsion, any compulsion, it is the mind fixating on one thing, and the thoughts and feelings to do with this inside your head looping around and around in every constricting circles increasing the intensity of the thought or feeling the mind is focused on. Like a boa constrictor wrapping around tighter and tighter, the more you try to resist the thoughts the tighter the loops constricts, and the only way out seems to be to give in to it.
This is why counselling is often ineffective for compulsions, because it is near impossible to think normally and make a good choice when an urge with this intensity comes upon you. To achieve a result we have to go beyond rational thinking, because in the moment when you feel trapped, rational thoughts are no longer there.
If you have been to a psychologists councillor or Doctors, and haven't had any success and wondering why this time it will be different. The simplest answer I can give you is we will not be talking about your problem, we will not be writing down ideas about what you should do when you feel the urge to eat. Instead we will look to remove the urge so it is no longer there. For many people this can be a straight forward process and usually takes 3 sessions spaced a week apart.
If you are just a binge eater, it is usually a one step process, if you both a binge eat and have compensatory behaviour like purging or diet restrictions, it is 2 step process, in either case allow for 3 sessions.
Most Clients are very surprised at how quickly we can help achieve a positive result for something that has been such a big part of their life for so long. Results between clients does vary, with each client have there own unique challenges to overcome.
If you have any questions please ring me 0800 497 667 or you can book online now by clicking the link below.
