Subjective Vs Objective Binge Eating
Have you ever had an episode of over eating and wondered if you’d just binged?
With such a wealth of information now just a tap away it can be equally awesome to get help and support and help you identify things you may need help with, but it can also start to make us start to question our own behaviour unnecessarily.
Let’s take binge eating. In the past I’ve had clients tell me they think they binged and start questioning their relationship with food when in reality was they had just over eaten. But how do you know when is a time to get help and when you are just having a good time?
The main difference is the amount of food you consume:
An objective binge (what would be thought of as a ‘real’ binge) is eating a large amount of food in a very short amount of time.
A subjective binge is eating a regular amount of food in a specified about of time
But what is interesting is that regardless of the amount of food consumed, the feelings and emotions stay the same. People report feeling:
Mixed feelings which start as moments of pleasure but followed by agitation, remorse, shame, regret and disgust
Stuffed
Out of control
Concerned about weight gain
So let’s say for example you have the night to yourself and treat yourself to a biscuit, it tastes amazing and you feel great so you have another. Next minute you have consumed a biscuit plus the rest of the packet, two packets of crisps and family sized chocolate bars consumed in one setting without even realising and feeling totally out of control while doing it. After you feel guilty and ashamed. This would be an objective binge.
Now let’s say you have the night to yourself, you have one rice cracker with peanut butter and next minute you can’t stop but eat three more. You feel exactly the same after, guilty, ashamed and feel overly full, but the amount of food you have consumed is drastically different.
Feature of both:
Feeling out of control
No differences in self-esteem levels or body image concerns
Difference with both :
Amount of food
Impact on depressive symptoms and impulsivity levels are greater with subjective binges
So the big question is, does it matter whether it is subjective or objective? The answer is no. It’s those feelings that matter most. Regardless of the amount of food consumed, if eating habits occur which are automatic, dissociative, fast and out of control with feelings of regret, guilt and disgust after it is considered a binge and it might be worth seeking some extra support. Because no one should live their life on a constant state of negative emotions, especially not where food is concerned.
Ref: Break Binge Eating Course for Professionals
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