What are the Different Types of Binge Eating Treatment?

Binge eating is a psychological disorder that involves uncontrollable urges to overeat. Many people with binge eating disorder experience anxiety and guilt after their eating episodes, but feel that there is nothing they can do to stop. Fortunately, there are many different types of binge eating treatment available to men and women who are willing to change their lives. People can seek professional help from licensed psychologists, join support groups, or explore self-help books and videos. Many different types of binge eating treatment have been proven effective in clinical trials and practical settings.

Counseling psychologists specialize in different types of binge eating treatment. Some professionals offer cognitive behavioral therapy, which involves helping a patient better deal with triggers, the thoughts that initiate overeating episodes. The patient is encouraged to talk about personal feelings that affect their behavior, such as body image issues, depression, and guilt. By identifying triggers, the patient can learn to deal with them in healthier ways. Many therapists suggest that when patients feel like eating, they go for a relaxing walk or write down their feelings in a journal instead.

Some psychologists focus on interpersonal therapy techniques to help people with their eating problems. A therapist helps the patient identify negative situations and interpersonal relationships that might cause a person to eat. The patient might have lingering issues with family members, such as an overbearing or critical parent, that prompts him or her to overeat as a method of coping. The therapist encourages the patient to improve his or her communication with others and choose healthier ways to deal with problems.

There are different types of binge eating treatment available to people who do not have the money or time to meet regularly with therapists. Many people attend group meetings with others who suffer from eating disorders. The members of the group have the opportunity to talk about their problems and discuss their successes and failures in overcoming them. It can be very helpful for a person to hear about others' struggles in order to understand that he or she is not alone. Group support is important in overcoming guilt and learning to make healthy lifestyle choices.

A person who is uncomfortable in group or individual therapy settings might decide to try self-help publications. Many books, videos, and audio recordings provide information to help people identify their problems and learn strategies to overcome them. An individual can obtain binge eating self-help material from local bookstores, libraries, or online retailers.

Making the decision to lose weight is important with many of the different types of binge eating treatment. Most binge eaters are overweight or obese as a result of their habits, which can lead to severe medical problems and shorten their lifespans. Doctors usually recommend that binge eating treatment be accompanied with regular exercise and diet. In some cases, medication or surgery is needed to help people attain a healthy weight. By seeking professional help and making smart dietary and exercise choices, an individual can overcome eating problems and begin leading a healthy, fulfilling life.