If you have an unhealthy relationship with food and it’s taking a toll on you physically, mentally, and emotionally, seeking help from a licensed clinical psychologist can help. Binge eating isn’t about a lack of willpower or having an extreme fondness for food, it’s a mental health condition that can manifest through a variety of physical and psychological triggers. At Blair Wellness Group of Beverly Hills, we provide comprehensive counseling, therapy, and binge eating treatment services to assist clients in identifying the root cause of their disorder and to help them regain control of their life.

Risk Factors For Binge Eating Disorder

The cause of a binge eating disorder can be difficult to identify, but it can often be attributed to one or more of the following risk factors.

• Genetics — People who have a family history of binge eating disorder or another mental health condition are more likely to develop it.
• Psychological Conditions — Most people with binge eating disorder also suffer from at least one other psychological disorder such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
• Trauma — Someone who has experienced a deeply distressing event such as abuse, a car accident, or the death of a loved one are more likely to develop the disorder
• History of Dieting — People who have a negative body image and a history of dieting may trigger a binge eating episode as a way to overcompensate for calorie restriction. 

Signs and Symptoms 

Someone who has a binge eating disorder will experience multiple, if not all of the following symptoms:

• Eating large quantities of food in a short period of time
• Eating without feeling hungry
• Continuing to eat despite being uncomfortably full
• Eating alone or in secret
• Feelings of guilt or shame after eating
• Feeling a loss of control with regard to eating
• Fluctuations in weight

Complications 

Binge eating disorder is associated with several physical and psychological health risks. First, the majority of people with the disorder are obese which puts them at risk of health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. In addition to physical complications, binge eating disorder can affect relationships and work productivity, or even result in social isolation.