Cause of Binge Eating Disorder

The cause of binge eating disorder is not scientifically known. There are many factors and they can vary from person to person.

I believe that there is one main cause that almost any binge eater can relate to:The in-ability to cope with emotions. The inability to cope with emotions is usually brought on by a traumatic event in life. The emotions felt are so intense that you don't know what to do with them. You begin to numb yourself with food. Or use food to hide from your problems.

You may be at the point right now that you don't know WHY you overeat. The reason you started may have happened so long ago that you no longer consciously recognize the real reason.

A few common reasons may be:

• You may have been bullied as a child.
• Experiencing a death of someone close to you.
• A response to verbal abuse..
• A response to emotional abuse.
• A response to sexual abuse.
• You may have grown up in a home where food was given as a source of comfort.

• Your Mom or Dad "loved" you with food. For example: After you were hurt, or had a bad day, you were offered a plate of cookies! It may be the only way you know to feel secure.
• Food may have been witheld as a child, so you need to "hord" food to feel in control.

This isn't an all inclusive list! It is just to get you thinking about your real reasons you overeat.

If you are not ready to overcome binge eating, you may find yourself pushing these aside.

You may tell yourself that you just simply LOVE food and that there is no underlying reason to your overeating. Or you might be thinking that, "I don't really mind being overweight". Or maybe you just don't want the label of "binge eater".

If you're not ready; that is okay. You may feel that you don't have the emotional energy to cope with it now. Just remember that there is help when you are ready.

Another diet is not the answer, you need to get to the real reason you binge. You need to begin by changing your core beliefs to truly overcome this. You may be successful in the short run; but once you get tired of "faking" it, the pounds will creep back on.

You must start with your beliefs and change them first. The rest will fall in line almost effortlessly.

The bottom line is that binge eaters use food as a coping method! It is no different than an alcoholic turning to a bottle of Jack Daniels to find an escape. The only difference is that a binge eater can't cut food out of their life! This creates a unique challenge; but not something impossible to overcome.

Is the cause of binge eating disorder depression? Studies have found that binge eating can be linked to depression. But there is no evidence to say which or if one causes the other.

Below is a diagram of how it has worked in my life.

Depression and binge eating literally feed off each other. You turn to food to cope with the emotions or stress you are experiencing.

After an emotional binge you feel depressed because you have once again failed to have "will power"(no such thing by the way).

You promise yourself never to do that again and start fresh tomorrow. But tomorrow is the same routine: overeating and feeling guilty. So the cycle continues. It feels like a dark hole that you are stuck in, unable to find a way out.

The good news is that this cycle is breakable. It will take some effort on your part; but the rewards will far outweigh the work! Find what your "cause of binge eating disorder" is and tackle it!

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