Good Healthcare Requires Treatment of Your Mind, Body, and Soul

How To Tell If A Loved One Is Binge Eating

4 April 2017 by Hugh Larson

Eating disorders can have a permanent effect on the overall health and well-being of an individual. While many people are familiar with anorexia or bulimia, few people recognize that binge eating can be classified as an eating disorder as well.

Here are some tips that you can use to help determine if your loved one is binge eating so that you can help him or her get the assistance needed to overcome this serious eating disorder before it can cause lasting damage.

1. Check your loved one's home for secret stockpiles of food.

Binge eaters frequently participate in eating sessions where they consume large amounts of food. In order to conceal the evidence of binge eating, those who suffer from this disorder often keep a secret stockpile of food within the home to have available when the need to binge strikes.

You can keep your eyes open for stockpiles of food in strange places (like bedroom closets, under beds, or inside the pockets of clothing) when trying to determine if your loved one is a binge eater.

In addition to stockpiles of food, you may also come across large quantities of wrappers or boxes left over from previous binge sessions. These stockpiles could be evidence of an eating disorder, and you should tactfully approach the subject of treatment with your loved one if you find stockpiles of food or wrappers in the home.

2. Take note of the speed with which your loved one eats.

Binge eaters commonly consume their food much quicker than traditional eaters. This increased speed could be attributed to the negative emotions that are associated with food for many people who suffer with eating disorders.

If it appears that your loved one is regularly consuming meals too quickly, you may want to approach the topic of treatment with him or her in order to help your loved one overcome a potential binge eating disorder.

3. Watch for periods of increased eating.

Binge eating can become worse when stress increases in your loved one's life. If you notice that your loved one exhibits an unhealthy relationship with food during times of increased stress at work, home, or school, this could be a sign that he or she is using food as a coping mechanism.

In order to prevent this unhealthy habit from taking a toll on your loved one's body, it can be beneficial to suggest treatment where your loved one can learn more constructive ways to cope with stress.

By being able to identify some of the symptoms of binge eating (like stockpiles of food, rapid consumption of food, or increased eating during times of stress), you will be able to help your loved one seek the treatment needed to overcome this eating disorder. For more information and help, contact an eating disorder treatment facility in your area. 

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