Binge-Eating Disorder

Trigger Warning: This mentions binge-eating disorder.

I want to talk about binge-eating disorder for a minute and give it the recognition it deserves. In our society, it seems we always assume that when someone has an eating disorder they're super thin. This is not the case. Binge-eating disorder is actually the most common eating disorder there is. At my work, I was talking about eating disorders, and half of the people did not even know binge-eating disorder existed! I was mind-blown and concerned at the same time.

For those who don't know, binge-eating disorder is eating large quantities of food over a short period, usually due to negative feelings such as guilt or grief. I started reading Azure Moyna's memoir called Fullness and she talks about her binge-eating disorder and going to see a therapist for the first time. When she first started therapy, she didn't even know what she had counted as a disorder. It wasn't until she looked it up online.

I feel like our society puts so much emphasis on thin being healthy when that isn't necessarily the case. Oftentimes, that causes eating disorders and a desire to be thin. But it also causes us to forget about other disorders such as binge-eating disorders. Those with the disorder tend to get blamed more for eating excessive amounts of food, but they have no more control over their disorder than someone with anorexia might. There are also genetic conditions where someone is more predisposed to gaining more weight. It's out of their control, yet in our society we assume that someone who isn't a thinner body type eats unhealthy and doesn't work out. We assume they couldn't have an eating disorder either.

I really want this assumption to stop. Because of the way our culture is, I can admit if I'm shown a picture of someone who isn't Barbie thin, I immediately draw my attention to the difference in weight. It's almost like it's preprogrammed in my mind because I've grown up in a world telling me that weight matters. It's not something I'm proud of or that I want to accept. But it's good to know that it is in my mind and to actively work to get rid of those innate thoughts that pop into my head.

Those with eating disorders don't all look the same. And there are a lot of eating disorders that we aren't taught. There are way more than just anorexia and bulimia. Rumination disorder is another one. Have you ever heard of that one? If I wasn't a psychology student, I don't think I would ever have heard of it.

If you are in a crisis and need help immediately, call 988 or continue to contact Crisis Text Line by texting “NEDA” to 741741 to be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line is a separate organization staffed by volunteers who provide free, 24/7 support via text message to individuals who are struggling with mental health, including eating disorders, and are experiencing crisis situations.