Binge eating disorder is characterized by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. Unlike bulimia, there is no regular purging, but individuals suffering from this disorder may go on sporadic fasts or repetitive diets in an effort to gain control of their weight and eating habits. At a binge eating disorder treatment center at The Ranch, our trained, professional clinicians provide compassionate care to help you find long-term recovery. Co-occurring disorders like anxiety and depression often contribute to binge eating. Feelings of intense shame or self-hatred are common after a binge, which is why effective treatment must address both underlying mental health issues and the binge-shame-self-hate cycle. People with binge eating disorder often eat rapidly and well beyond the normal feeling of fullness. Afterward, they feel disgusted with themselves. They feel isolated because shame drives them to eat alone. Despite the consequences, they continue to binge and feel helpless to stop. Research shows repetitive binge eating can throw off the reward center in the brain. Binge eating may mimic the effects of drug abuse where a person needs more of the substance (in this case food) to get the same effect or “high.” Binge eaters are stuck in that cycle. Sometimes they compensate with laxative abuse or excessive exercise, which adds to the problem.
What to Expect in Binge Eating Treatment
The Ranch offers residential treatment for binge eating. Binge eating treatment starts with a physical examination to understand underlying health issues that may or may not be related to binge eating. The next step is a comprehensive psychological evaluation to determine if you have any co-occurring conditions, such as a drug or alcohol addiction or a mental illness such as depression. The counseling team will then create a treatment plan to address your specific needs. Over the course of residential treatment you will be:
- Medically monitored
- Supported in healthy eating through nutritious food choices and behavioral counseling
- Introduced to multiple therapies
- Encouraged to process underlying issues in a safe and secure environment
- Taught techniques to help prevent relapse
Will I Receive Weight Loss Treatment?
A binge eater needs dietary support. At The Ranch, nutritionists and other health professionals provide this support as part of your medical care. We will also work with you to change eating habits to reduce binge eating. Not everyone seeking treatment of binge eating disorder is overweight. Some people struggle with the loss of control but not weight gain. Still, they cannot release themselves from the prison of emotional eating. Our eating disorder treatment center offers eating disorder treatments to help you heal. One goal is to help you change your eating patterns and your relationship with food.
Help With Low Self-Esteem
Everyone has to eat for nourishment and sustenance. This makes binge eating a challenging condition because you can’t avoid food completely. But you do not have to let food compulsions run your life. The Ranch offers treatment for binge eating disorder that addresses physical and emotional needs. Underneath many addictions and mental health issues lies low self-esteem. With binge eating, this is compounded by body image issues and the way you feel after a binge.
Getting at the Root of the Problem
People with binge eating disorder think about food constantly and regularly eat past the point of being full. They plan meals obsessively and will often eat in secret. Research has shown there are underlying causes for this behavior, often related to early trauma or childhood abuse. Perhaps you were sexually abused or hurt very deeply as a child. Overeating or binge eating may be a way to manage emotions because it takes your mind off of the pain. But it is just a temporary coping mechanism because a binge eater goes right back to another binge, creating more pain. At The Ranch, you will explore the issues that led to this kind of emotional eating. You will:
- Explore the trauma or other issues that cause the pain that makes you binge
- Learn ways to stop stuffing down feelings
- Discover healthy ways to eat and nourish yourself
- Create a new relationship with food
- Develop new coping strategies
Group Counseling with Peers
A key part of binge eating treatment is receiving support from people with similar struggles. Binge eating makes people isolated but peer support in a safe group therapy environment can ease the shame you feel. It is helpful to hear other people’s stories and learn that you are not alone. Many people struggle with eating disorders and you will work together, under the supervision of counselors, to heal.
Unique Therapies to Help You Heal
Eating disorder research has shown that one way to help people with disordered eating is to help them stretch outside their comfort zone. The Ranch offers many different types of therapy and skilled mental health professionals. Your therapists at The Ranch will offer many options to help you release past behaviors and create healthier patterns. Treatment options may include:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy
- Ropes course and adventure therapy
Why Choose The Ranch?
The Ranch is synonymous with innovative eating disorder treatment. We offer therapies from deep trauma work to somatic therapies as part of a healing program that is matched to your needs. And we walk beside you each day in your journey to eating disorder recovery. We have the expertise to help you get beyond your current pain and find happiness and health again. Binge eating disorder treatment includes learning skills for relapse prevention. The Ranch makes sure you’re prepared to go back into your community after residential treatment. You’ll learn self-care skills and coping skills to get you through difficult moments. You’ll also have resources such as outpatient rehab and support programs that can help you maintain recovery.
Step Into Your Healthy Future
A healthier and happier life is just a phone call away. We’ll help you rebuild your life. Call The Ranch treatment centers today: 1.844.876.7680