There are many companies, fad diets, and magazines that say that they have surefire magic bullet treatments for binge eating. However, trying to curb binge eating may have more to do with what works for each person rather than one magic bullet. That’s why it may help to try a variety of methods until one is successful.
The causes of binge eating can be different from person to person. For some people, binge eating gets triggered by stressful situations. For others, it starts with the memory of a traumatic event from the past. Very often, binge eating begins with a desire to lose weight or prevent weight gain. Then it turns into periods of overeating.
Because the causes of binge eating vary for everyone, it’s vital to find a treatment that addresses the cause. Here are a few of the most used effective treatments that address the causes of binge eating.
Treatments for Binge Eating
Acupuncture
Although no one knows how acupuncture works on binge eating, there are several theories. One such theory has to do with acupuncture’s effect on the hormone leptin. Leptin regulates how the body breaks down food. For example, in people with anorexia, leptin is present in low levels. Leptin, on the other hand, is present in high levels in people who have stress-induced eating. Acupuncture can help change levels of leptin in the body, making it a useful treatment for eating disorders like anorexia and binge eating.
Binge eating also has an underlying relationship with emotions and mood, especially generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Acupuncture is a known alternative treatment for both disorders. By addressing the emotions connected with binge eating, acupuncture can be an effective treatment.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy, like acupuncture, works by targeting the cause of binge eating. By using essential oils from plants through massage or inhalation, aromatherapy can affect emotions like anxiety and depression. Because binge eating happens with emotions, aromatherapy is an excellent way to treat it.
Interestingly, aromatherapy also has a known link to food. Humans connect to food emotionally— think of your favorite childhood dish — and much of that lies in how the brain remembers scents and flavors. By using aromatherapy, the emotional connection can be found and used to treat binge eating.
Hypnotherapy can treat binge eating by finding the cause of food addictions and unhealthy relationships with food. Because memories play such a large part in binge eating, hypnosis can explore and reframe them. Controlling responses and habits lead to better eating behaviors.
Hypnosis can also train the mind to change how it reacts to the triggers and cravings that cause binge eating. Teaching the mind to be aware of thoughts and emotions connected to food results in less overeating. Because it teaches the mind the right response methods and healthy eating habits, hypnosis can be a very effective binge eating treatment.
Thinking Outside the Box
A lot of why we overeat has to do with emotions and feelings. That’s why treatments for eating disorders need some creativity —some thinking outside the box—and trial and error. What works for some people might not work for others. Triggers, cravings, feelings, and emotions aren’t the same for everyone. It’s best to look into many treatments for binge eating to find the right one for you.