Binge eatng banner - woman gazing at stack of chocolates

Binge Eating

Binge eating problems involve regularly eating large portions of food all at once and usually very quickly until you feel uncomfortably full or even bloated.

It is not unusual to then have feelings of guilt immediately following an episode and it is considered by some schools of thought as a form of self-harm.

Binge eating sessions are often planned in advance and the person may buy even “special” binge foods such as cakes, or foods with a high carbohydrate content.

Binge eating problems can affect both men and women and it most frequently starts in the late teens or early 20s.

Binge eaters usually perform this act with as much secrecy as they can.

Symptoms of Binge Eating

The main symptoms associated with binge eating frequently include:

Eating large amounts of food
Eating very fast during a binge
Eating until you feel uncomfortably full
Eating when you’re not hungry
Eating alone or secretly
Feeling depressed, guilty, ashamed or even disgusted after binge eating

Signs of Binge Eating Problems in Others

The following sign might indicate that someone you know has an binge eating problem:

Eating a lot of food, very fast
Actively hiding how much they are eating
Creating food stores
Putting on weight, although this is not always associated with binge eating

Potential Causes of Binge Eating Problems

There are no definitive ’causes’ of binge eating or other eating issues, however, you may be more likely to develop binge eating problems if:

A member of your family has a history of eating disorders, depression, or alcohol abuse or drug abuse.
You have experienced strong criticism of your eating habits, body shape or weight.
You are overly concerned with being slim, particularly if you also feel pressure from society or your job.
You have anxiety, low self-esteem, OCD or have a “perfectionist” thinking style.

If you think you may have binge eating problem we advise that you consult your GP in the first instance and before seeking out psychological help

With the right treatment and support, most people recover from binge eating problems, but it does take time, effort and a desire to overcome the problem in order to be successful.

Binge Eating sufferer in therapy session

Therapy & Counselling for Binge Eating

We offer a number of different types of therapy and counselling for Binge Eating and food-related problems.

Choosing the most suitable therapy depends on a number of different considerations including factors such as:

How long you have had the problem.
Your personal preferences.
How your problem is affecting you today.

You can read more about the different types of therapy for Binge Eating on the following links:

Although all therapies use slightly different approaches, the one thing they all have in common is the relationship that is formed between the client and therapist.

Furthermore, research also suggests that therapy relationship may be the most important factor in achieving a good therapy outcome.

Free Initial Consultations for Binge Eating

We offer all prospective clients an initial consultation to discuss your binge eating issues prior to commencing any treatment plans.

The consultation is free and lasts around 50 minutes.

During this consultation we will discuss the various options that are available to you and make a considered recommendation based on your individual personal circumstances.

Initial consultations are also available as part of our online therapy service.

At Tranceform Psychology we recognise the importance of the therapeutic relationship in helping people to bring about effective change, so its important to be able to ‘meet’ to discuss our change programmes BEFORE proceeding.

Our policy is to help people make a fully balanced & considered decision about undertaking work with us, including both the financial and personal implications.