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Why do I binge eat?

14 Answers
Last Updated: 05/04/2020 at 3:05am
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Tracy-Kate Teleke, PsyD, M.A., LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

I assist adults and couples in CA experiencing relationship challenges and interpersonal struggles including anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other life challenges.

Top Rated Answers
Jenna
July 7th, 2015 12:31am
Some research states that it's from chemicals in the mind. Like dopamine, which is a chemical of the brain that relates to pleasures. When you eat and overeat you feel good in that moment, because food is pleasurable to you causing you to keep up the binge eating. Other research has said it leads to emotions. When you feel anxious or sad, food can be a huge comforter. Being overly hungry can also serve as a trigger to binge eating. Some who are not on a regular eating schedule try to satisfy their feelings of starvation with more calories than are necessary.
charlotteviola
September 2nd, 2015 4:44pm
It's usually not because of hunger. There's probably some kind of deeper emotional reasoning behind it. A binge eater is probably someone who turns to food as a comfort source, and eats to relieve an emotional hole inside them. Of course, managing it would mean finding a new way to cope with those emotions :)
HelpfullOwl
January 26th, 2015 4:22pm
Although I can't tell you exactly why you binge eat, as telling someone why they do what they do would be impossible task even for some trained and high level psychiatrists , I do know though based on experience that a lot if people who binge eat are suppressing large emotions and binge eating is there way of dealing with these emotions.
Anonymous
April 8th, 2015 6:23pm
People bing eat because they have anxiety. Eating and taking pleasure from it can soothe what they are feeling and dealing with at the moment.
GoldenDragonEyes60
May 5th, 2015 5:14pm
Eating can be a very big comfort to many people, when you're upset you seek to feel something good, so food pleases your taste buds and your body. I used to have a problem with binge eating as well and it's no walk in the park, but as long as you keep yourself in check it's something that CAN be conquered with time and effort.
healingWaterfall75
June 3rd, 2015 11:41am
Binge eating usually happens either because you are enduring some sort of eating disorder and are food-deprived, or because you are going through some anxiety or stress and you found food to calm you. Anyway, you can always look for professional help, or you can talk to any of us here. You are not alone!
Anonymous
August 25th, 2015 7:14am
Binge eating tends to be linked to physiological conditions and it is a good idea to contact your health care provider or a local therapist.
Greatlistener87
November 9th, 2015 7:13am
A lot of reasons can contribute to binge eating they are weather, stress and other emotional issues. Whatever it is when you binge eat try to munch on healthy alternatives such as fruits/nuts and etc.
Anonymous
July 5th, 2016 2:59pm
The feelings of sadness, depression and boredom kick in and food is always there and is addictive, especially the junk food as it is full of chemicals.
Anonymous
September 19th, 2016 8:12pm
Binge eating can often be a vice used to cope with underlying issues such as depression, insecurity, and detachment. We must dig deeper to find the real reason for searching endlessly for fulfillment through binge eating instead of finding what we really need help overcoming - the true cause.
avocadoallyson
February 7th, 2017 7:54pm
Binge eating is caused for many reasons. Personally, I struggle with binge eating when I feel like the rest of my life is out of control. Reminding yourself of your strength and power will help you feel more in control of your eating habits and your life.
TaylorTheHelper
July 18th, 2017 9:40am
Binge eating is like the human bodies way of processing certain emotions. If you are feeling a negitive emotion, like sad or scared, you are more likey to binge eat than if you were feeling happy or excited.
Anonymous
August 12th, 2019 2:25am
binge-eating can happen for lots of reasons, but for many people it's a coping mechanism. some people binge eat when they're feeling sad, which is a type of emotional eating and a way to deal with their feelings. this may apply to you, but no matter what, try identifying how you feel whenever you have the urge to binge-eat, and see if you start noticing a pattern. maybe you're bored, maybe you feel overwhelmed, maybe you feel sad. just take note of how you're feeling, and from there you can decide on a next step.
Anonymous
May 4th, 2020 3:05am
You might binge eat due to stress. I’ve done that, but instead I started exercising when I want to snack despite not even being hungry. It’s something that’s hard to overcome for a lot of people and it took me a long time to get the hang of a good daily exercise plan for me to keep myself healthy and in shape. Once you start to keep up with it it gets easier and easier. It becomes just a part of your normal day and it can feel so amazing after you get the hang of it. For you the way you manage it may be different and that’s completely okay. Find what works for you and stick to it. Good luck!