Binge eating psychosomatics
Binge eating means you regularly eat a lot of food in a short time, cannot stop, and feel ashamed afterwards. According to the NHS it is a serious condition, not weak willpower, and with support most people recover. If these episodes keep repeating, book a GP visit: they can refer you to an eating disorder specialist. The Ladder method helps you notice which feeling you are eating over, and it does not replace treatment.
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When to see a doctor
A GP first, and then a psychiatrist, psychotherapist or eating disorder specialist. The doctor will ask about eating and how you feel, and check your weight and general health. Come as soon as you notice that the episodes repeat. It is hard to talk about, so you can bring someone close to you (NHS).
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method binge eating is not explained by weak willpower and is not treated with the words "pull yourself together". It is not your fault: episodes are shaped by genes, anxiety, what you have lived through and a lot more. An eating disorder specialist comes first, and questions to yourself go alongside treatment, not instead of it.
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In the method, food fits the image of comfort: when a feeling has nowhere to go, the body finds the fastest way to quiet it. This is an image, not the cause of the disorder, and it does not replace therapy.
On the ladder this shows up as the rungs "I am not allowed to be angry or cry" and "I have to hold it together". You can work through them at your own pace while you are in treatment.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- You eat a lot in a short time and cannot stop
- You eat when you are not hungry, and very fast
- You eat alone or in secret
- You feel guilt, shame or disgust with yourself afterwards
- You hide food or stock up on it
- Thoughts about food and weight take up a lot of room
What medicine knows
Binge eating disorder means regularly eating a large amount of food in a short time, until you feel uncomfortably full, and feeling unable to stop (NHS). It is not holiday overeating and it is not weak willpower.
Episodes can be planned or sudden, and often happen alone or in secret. Other signs: you eat when you are not hungry, you eat very fast, and afterwards you feel guilt, shame, low mood or disgust with yourself. Weight does not change for everyone (NHS).
It can affect people of any gender and age, but it most often starts after the age of twenty (NHS), and eating disorders in general are more common in women (MedlinePlus). The exact causes are unknown. The risk is higher if eating disorders, depression or addictions run in your family, if you are anxious, a perfectionist, hard on yourself, or have been through something painful.
Treatment works. Usually you are first offered guided self-help with support from a professional, and if that is not enough after 4 weeks, cognitive behavioural therapy: about 20 sessions over 20 weeks. Dieting during treatment gets in the way, because it makes the episodes harder to stop. Antidepressants alone are not prescribed, they are given together with therapy (NHS).
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Frequently asked questions
How is binge eating different from ordinary overeating?
Ordinary overeating happens on holidays and leaves no heavy feeling. With the disorder, episodes repeat regularly, you cannot stop and afterwards you feel guilt and shame (NHS).
Does dieting help with binge eating?
No. The NHS advises not to diet during treatment, because it makes the episodes harder to stop. Guided self-help with professional support and cognitive behavioural therapy help.
Which doctor should I see if I keep overeating?
Start with a GP: they will ask about your eating, check your health and refer you to an eating disorder specialist. Do not wait until it gets really bad. In the Ladder method the episodes are a reason to ask yourself which feeling you are eating over, and this does not replace treatment.
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Answers to common questions
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.