Is someone at risk if they binge after not eating?
Is someone at risk of BED if they are binging after not eating (such as if they ate [edited by Shanna for triggering detail]? Let's say Mon-Wednesday they didn't have access to food due to finances, lack of motivation to grocery shop or prepare food, scheduling, health issues, or other reasons and on Thursday the person is really hungry from eating basically nothing the other three days so they binge a lot on the fourth day but it averages out to account for the days that they weren't able to eat (or might not even account for those). And then Friday they go back to eating a normal [edited by Shanna for calorie count] calories or again don't have access to food so they don't eat much. Is binging due to hunger at risk to a disorder? Or is binging in this case acceptable? Or let's say that the person works a job where they aren't allowed breaks (like a first responder or in-home worker) so they work a 12-hour then eat [edited by Shanna for calorie count]?
@tulipfairy I'm not an expert, but I searched the Internet for information about intermittent fasting, and it doesn't seem to be harmful if you are otherwise healthy. Some people even suggest it's beneficial. For example, see: [edited for link to potentially triggering guide]
Eating disorders are mental illnesses in which unusual patterns of eating are the result of mental compulsion. It's really the mental compulsion that's the disorder, and the unusual pattern of eating is a side effect. If your pattern of eating is unusual because of your circumstances or because of rational choices that you've made for yourself, then it seems to me you don't have a mental illness. I think the same logic would apply to any unusual lifestyle.
Charlie
@tulipfairy
Hi there, thanks for posting! I edited out the calorie counts and detailed food listings to keep the forums as trigger-free as possible for all users since eating disorders can be very competitive and lead to a lot of comparisons.
While an eating disorder is a mental illness, there are also physical and behavioral components. Food insecurity, as you've described (due to finances, etc) is definitely a risk factor for eating disorders. Additionally, it is possible to have disordered eating habits without a diagnosable eating disorder i.e. calorie counting, restricting and bingeing cycles, limiting certain foods such as carbs or fats, over-exercising.
Bingeing almost always is a response to restriction--either deliberately or unintentionally limiting food intake at certain points, OR "mental restriction" i.e. having a mindset that certain foods are "bad" or "off-limits." So, if you aren't eating enough throughout the day or the week it is completely normal that you would binge in response--this is a biological survival mechanism that our body employs to prevent starvation.
I am not a professional and cannot diagnose eating disorders or likelihood of eating disorders, but I can say from my own eating disorder treatment and experiences that eating enough and eating consistently throughout the day and week is the best way to honor your body and your health.
Some questions that might be helpful to ask yourself:
-how do I feel physically and mentally when I am not eating enough? is this something I should continue?
-how do I feel physically and mentally when I binge due to previous restriction throughout the week? is this something I should continue?
-Is there some extra planning or preparation I can do to ensure I am able to eat more consistently throughout the week?
-are there food assistance programs in my area that could help me to supplement my nutrition needs due to limited finances?
-is my work environment healthy for me? could I work with my supervisors to ensure I have a breaktime in order to eat on a regular schedule? (legally, you are required to have a break! regardless of your profession)
Hope that helps, and I hope things get easier for you soon.
Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help, any resources you need, or if anything I've said isn't making sense to you!
All the best.
