Living With Binge Eating Disorder Published May 24, 2016 By Kelsea Warren 5th Medical Group MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Have you ever felt the need to hide what you are eating? What about feeling a loss of control while you're eating? For most of us, an invitation to dinner with a friend is a compliment. We look forward to a night filled with good company, noteworthy conversation and delicious food. This is not the case for those struggling with Binge Eating Disorder (BED). Situations like these can be a huge source of stress and concern due to the worry of overeating to the point of sickness. BED is different from other eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia. Those who struggle with BED find themselves eating more than the average person would eat in a short period or feel like they can't control the overeating. Living with this disorder can be very difficult, especially in today's society where food is the center of most social activities. Many people find themselves stuck in a pattern of binging and this results in feelings of guilt and frustration. Imagine coming home to make dinner, but then realizing hours later you have just eaten an entire bag of chips, a tub of ice cream and a whole pizza before feeling too sick to continue. Not to be confused with having a bad day and indulging in your favorite comfort foods. BED is a repetitive cycle of compulsively overeating large amounts of food, often uncontrollably. Many people feel so much shame before and after a binge that they hide their eating or restrict entire food groups. The fear of judgement when eating too much food causes anxiety, fear and guilt, which impacts self-esteem and results in poor perception about body image. This is the struggle of individuals suffering from BED. The need to binge can occur for many reasons-- stress being one of the most common. Events such as moving, change in relationship status, work or school related issues and incidents of domestic violence can be difficult for anyone to deal with, but when BED is present, it makes coping more difficult. In many cases, this disorder is also coupled with other forms of mental illness like depression and bulimia. If you are experiencing symptoms of BED, you are not alone in your struggles. Asking for help is a difficult task, but reaching out to local mental health clinics, primary care providers and support groups, may be very beneficial in combatting the symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder. Food is meant to be nourishment for your body and should be enjoyed, not feared. Please contact the Mental Health Clinic, ADAPT or Family Advocacy at 723-5527. Military One Source (723-3950), the Chaplains (723-2456), and the Military Family Life Consultants (MFLCS) (723-3950) are also great resources.