Balance Beyond The Scales: Managing Binge Eating And Mental Health

“I try to hide it from everyone. When we’re with others, I don’t eat more than others, but when I’m at home and no one sees me, that’s when I eat. So, it’s tiring, and you always watch out.”

Those are the words of Berit, who lives with binge eating disorder (BED), the world’s most common eating disorder. She was part of a small group of people interviewed about their experiences of living with BED.

She and the other participants described feeling hopeless, ashamed and out of control. They described difficulties accessing care because many doctors don’t understand the condition. And they talked of the relief of finally getting a diagnosis and beginning to understand themselves and develop a healthier relationship with food.

On World Mental Health Day (10 October), it's crucial to explore how binge eating relates to weight issues and why addressing mental health is just as important as managing physical weight.

What is binge eating disorder?

Binge eating disorder is a mental health condition where you regularly eat an excessive amount of food, past the point of feeling full.

Some part of you gains immediate satisfaction from this behaviour but those feelings don’t last long. Once the binge is over, you may feel guilty, ashamed and disgusted with yourself for being so out of control. Like Berit, you probably hide this behaviour but the cycle keeps repeating itself.

Mental health risk factors for binge eating disorder

While genes may play a role in BED, it’s strongly influenced by your life experiences.

You’re more likely to develop BED if you:

• Feel inadequate or have low self-esteem
• Tend see things in black-and-white, all-or-nothing terms such as “I’ve completely failed at healthy eating so I might as well eat my way through the biscuit jar.”
• Fear or avoid conflict
• Are impulsive or obsessive
• Have a history of dieting – it’s common to rebel against rigid diet rules by bingeing ‘forbidden’ foods
• Feel shame about having a larger body in a culture that idealises thinness
• Have experienced food insecurity in the past (e.g. homelessness or foster care) where you needed to hoard or hide food to ensure you had enough
• Have unmet needs.

Those unmet needs could be emotional, psychological, social, professional or spiritual, e.g. you might be bored, stressed or feel undervalued.

Bingeing initially soothes difficult feelings but there’s a terrible sting in the tail. It doesn’t solve the difficult situation you’re dealing with and it adds feelings of shame and disgust.

And, of course, binge eating tends to mean you gain weight.

Binge eating disorder and bariatric surgery

In Australia, 17% of weight-loss surgery candidates have BED.

Bariatric surgery helps you lose weight by restricting the amount of food you can eat and/or by changing the way your body absorbs food. Bariatric surgery involves significant physical changes that can kickstart your weight-loss journey and improve your health in many important ways.

However, bariatric surgery doesn’t automatically address binge eating disorder. Indeed, a binge after bariatric surgery may trigger an unpleasant side effect called dumping syndrome.

If you live with BED, it’s important to access psychological support both before and after bariatric surgery. Post-surgery, some patients may find themselves facing new challenges, such as transferring addictive behaviours or struggling with emotional triggers.

Dr Lockie’s holistic approach to weight loss

There’s usually no single reason why someone gains weight. There’s a complex interplay of psychological factors, lifestyle, environment, habits and beliefs about your ability to change.

That’s why we don’t simply offer medical or surgical weight loss treatment. Those are evidence-based treatments, certainly, but they’re only one part of the picture.

Our multidisciplinary approach ensures you receive holistic care to address the many different factors behind your weight gain. Our team includes:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Psychologists
• Dietitians
• Exercise physiologists.

That means you receive comprehensive care that meets your physical and emotional needs, aiming to help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. Our focus is not only on the numbers on the scales but also on helping you develop sustainable, healthy behaviours that give you a new lease of life.

In addition, we help you access peer support through our Weight Loss Support Group where you can discuss challenges relating to eating habits, mental health and anything else with others on the same journey.

As we acknowledge World Mental Health Day, it’s important to remember that weight loss is not just about the physical transformation. Mental health plays a crucial role in ensuring long-term success, especially for those with binge eating disorder. Dr. Lockie’s comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach, combining surgery, mental health support, and peer guidance offers you a path to balanced, sustainable health.

Please book an appointment today with Shirley Lockie if you would like to explore your options.

Disclaimer

All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Dr Phil Lockie can consult with you to confirm if a particular procedure or treatment is right for you. All surgery carries risks.

References

• Bremer, M.F., Garnweidner-Holme, L., Nesse, L. et al. Experiences of living with binge eating disorder and facilitators of recovery processes: a qualitative study. J Eat Disord 11, 201 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-023-00929-2, [Accessed 4 October 2024]

• Eating Disorders Victoria, Binge eating disorder, https://www.eatingdisorders.org.au/eating-disorders-a-z/binge-eating-disorder/, [Accessed 4 October 2024]

• Psychology Today, The Truth About Exercise Addiction, https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-truth-about-exercise-addiction/201611/the-mental-health-struggles-of-weight-loss-surgery [Accessed 30 September, 2024]