1. How do you think binge eating affects daily routines and/or daily activities?
It puts an emphasis and focus on food, where it shouldn’t be. Binging is often a result of restriction throughout the day. When restriction of food is present, it drains energy levels, mood and productivity. It makes activities harder to complete to the level that would be achieved if restriction of food isn’t present. In general, it puts an unhealthy perspective and emphasis on food, when the real focus should be on the routines and the activities.
2. Do you have experience with BED? If so, how did/does that affect your everyday life? (Or do you know anyone who has experience with this disorder)
I was counselled for over a year when I was in high school for an eating disorder. I had a combination of anorexia and bulimia. I definitely had a restriction and binge tendency. My disorder controlled every aspect of my life. It damaged my personal and social relationships, it drained my energy and strength, taking my performance in dance and athletics away from me. It took my ability to cope away - my emotions were constantly rattling around and I, and others, were the victim to my mood swings. The disorder stood at the centre of my life to the point that I almost worshipped it. It became my focus and every decision I made was influenced heavily by my disorder.
3. Why is binge eating so common among people, and why is it hard to stop?
I think that it is common because of the pressure we feel to be tiny and thin. We get into our heads that we need to eat basically nothing to get to our desired weight. By the end of the day, we are hungry, angry, lonely, tired, stressed, etc. and we have pushed our will power to the max. Our will power gives out because of lack of emotional strength, and we give in to the gnawing feeling inside, and to the cravings that have been taunting us all day. When we start eating it is a dangerous slide - our body has been so deprived that it doesn’t take time to taste the food. We begin shovelling because we are desperately hungry. Our body doesn’t know when it is going to be fed next! It is hard to stop because it requires fighting a natural instinct.
4. If BED is so common, why don’t we hear about it a lot compared to other types of eating disorders such as Anorexia or Bulimia?
The counselling I went through acknowledged that bulimia has BED tendencies. I think that binge eating can be a component of any labelled type of disordered eating. It seems more socially acceptable to restrict and binge than it does to eat nothing at all. It is more subtle socially - many of our social events focus on food. If someone is a binge eater, they can hide the fact that they are struggling with an eating disorder. It is harder to go unnoticed when you aren’t eating anything at all, or when you go to the bathroom immediately after each time you eat.
5. If someone is going through BED, what are some ways to help quit?
They need to seek help. I think that having someone to talk to, constant journalling and the will to stop are all necessary. If someone is going through BED, but isn’t willing to make any changes, it is nearly impossible to help them quit. I always find that putting a focus on health rather than weight is important. It is important that people appreciate the strengths that they have.
6. How do you know if you might have some degree of BED? (Some signs)
Restriction of food throughout the day, Uncontrollable cravings, Inability to stop eating when started, Fixation on food, Eating in private
7. How do you think today’s socio-culture/social media affect the likeliness to develop BED?
There is such a focus on being thin and having the “perfect shape”. This is extremely unrealistic and puts a pressure on a lot of people to look a certain way. When social media is run ragged with pictures and comments about that “perfect body” it conditions individuals to think that it is the norm, rather than the exception, to look a certain way.
8. I know that health and fitness is a huge part of your life, has there ever been pressure to look a certain way and did that effect you at all? (Dieting, Binge Eating..etc)
Absolutely! I still struggle with it at times. There are times when I feel like everyone is watching, and they will catch any misstep. This is very unhealthy as it can lead to shame eating - saving eating times for private time. I feel like I can’t coach people to do certain things or work towards a certain goal when I am not doing the same. That puts pressure on me, and at times, can bring back my eating disorder symptoms. I am better at catching them now though!
9. If you are a friend of someone who is going through BED, what some ways to help and support them?
Encourage them to talk. My personal feeling is that emotions are typically at the root of the issue. They likely need someone that they trust to keep digging until they find some answers as to how the person is feeling. Scripture, journalling and prayer were all helpful for me. It can also be helpful for friends to choose hang out places that aren’t food centred. Making sure that the friend with BED is always kept comfortable and isn’t forced into a less than optimal situation is very important. Encouraging seeing their doctor or a counsellor would also be a great step in the right direction.
Your Questions are Answered with Devan Ballagh