Binge Eating Disorder is so common in our consumer driven, narcissistic, Western society. And no, I’m not just referring to Bulimia, but specifically binge eating, as opposed over eating. Eating as much as possible very quickly, specifically..

There are a variety of causes for this problem. In my experience it usually arises from an attachment disorder such as anxious ambivalenct, anxious avoidant or anxious disorganised. Thus, the pseudo-relationship with food exists as a defensive attempt to compensate for what the binge eater believes cannot be possibly filled up through true open and honest intimate relationships with other people.

This does not mean that they haven’t had or don’t form intimate relationships. But it means that at some level they really don’t believe that they can have long-lasting meaningful close emotional intimacy with other people which can be fulfilling enough for them. Thus, a false sense of emotional nourishment begins to be attempted, and the myriad of physiological problems begin to arise from the binge eating behaviour.

Depression and anxiety can also be common within this population. It becomes a vicious cycle. Anxiety about losing control through binge eating, which ironically, is actually an attempt to gain control. And depression about the loss of control and the ensuing guilt, all feed each other in a vicious cycle of suffering.

As a counsellor and psychotherapist I frequently see people with binge eating disorder. Many of these individuals have tried conventional cognitive behavioural therapy and even hypnotherapy as attempts to stop the binge eating behaviour and other emotional contributing factors which they experience and try to cope with, albeit unsuccessfully.

Many of these people are understandably acting against their best interests, seeking an immediate fix or a magical fix for their problems. But when they are willing and ready to face and work through their deep-seated issues in an experiential, courageously trusting way with a professional psychotherapist, they can almost always transform their problematic thoughts and feelings into opportunities for growth and change. Thus, through the therapeutic relationship and eventually other close relationships they can start to allow themselves to be nourished in a variety of different healthier ways.

If you live in the Brighton Melbourne area, help is available by face-to-face counselling to stop binge eating. In fact mindfulness therapy can help enormously which is something else available in Brighton, Melbourne. Or if you can’t get to Melbourne or Brighton, or prefer to work remotely, online counselling is available via Skype.