Tips for Recovering from Binge Eating Disorder

By: Olivia Kline, EDC Administrative Assistant

Binge eating disorder often brings feelings of shame and a sense of ‘losing control’ around food. It is frequently misunderstood, and many individuals with this disorder face external or internalized stigma related to struggling with binge eating disorder. This judgment can make it hard to seek help, as past negative experiences can create barriers within a support system. Nevertheless, we recognize the challenges, symptoms, and realities of binge eating disorder and are dedicated to assisting clients on their path to recovery.

Living with binge eating disorder can be incredibly draining. Being constantly preoccupied with thoughts about food and your body can leave you feeling overwhelmed, especially during episodes of bingeing. You might promise yourself after each binge that it won't happen again, yet it continues to recur.

Below are some tips to help in your journey in recovering from binge eating disorder from The Eating Disorder Therapy of Boca Raton, a practice that provides therapy for binge eating disorder virtually throughout Florida.

1. Try to find providers who are “health at every size” informed. 

Whether it is your primary care doctor, psychiatrist, general therapist, or a dietitian, it is so important to find someone who aligns with health at every size (HAES). You deserve to receive compassionate and non-stigmatizing care. Finding someone who is warmhearted and who is knowledgeable about providing HAES informed care can be a key component of recovery from binge eating disorder.

2. Utilize free resources (from trusted sources).

There are tools you can utilize on your own at home outside of therapy. Our founder, Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C created the PAUSE skill to help those who are recovering from binge eating disorder. Utilize this skill whenever you feel yourself wanting to binge. 

Download our free PAUSE skill pdf HERE!

3. Explore the underlying reasons for your binge eating struggle.

It can be beneficial to examine the role binge eating plays in your life. With the help of a therapist, or even on your own, you can begin to understand how binge eating might fulfill certain needs and where it falls short.

For some individuals, binge eating can offer a sense of “calm,” serve as a distraction from stress or boredom, help cope with past trauma or feelings of oppression, or assist in managing difficult emotions.

Engaging in therapy focused on binge eating disorder allows you to identify more adaptive and value-based ways to meet your needs. Additionally, therapy can help you improve your relationship with food and your body while also addressing underlying issues like trauma, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, or struggles with emotional regulation.

4. Notice your relationship with food outside binge episodes.

Many individuals who binge eat also engage in physical restrictions (like not eating or limiting certain foods) or emotional restriction (such as feeling guilty for eating something or vowing to start a diet the next day).

Restriction can significantly trigger binge eating; historically, binge eating helped humans survive during times of scarcity. Therefore, it’s crucial to discuss your overall relationship with food with a therapist and a dietitian—not just focus on binge episodes.

Often, the foods that people binge on are ones they don’t “permit” themselves to enjoy at other times. It’s important to explore the foods you tend to binge on and consider whether you are emotionally or physically restricting those foods.

5. Practice self-compassion towards yourself and your struggle with binge eating.

Beating yourself up after a binge is unkind to yourself and also typically only serves to keep the binge/restrict cycle going.

You are not ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’ for struggling with binge eating disorder. Binge eating disorder also has nothing to do with ‘willpower,’ rather it is a serious mental illness that many need professional therapy to recover from. If you are struggling it is NOT your fault.

Practice speaking to yourself how you’d speak to someone that you love, such as a small child in your life or your best friend.

You deserve to be kind to yourself.

Recovery is possible!

At The Eating Disorder Center, we’ve achieved significant success in supporting clients on their journeys to overcome binge eating disorder and related challenges.

Through therapy and the use of practical tools and skills outside of sessions, recovery is attainable! You deserve to break free from the exhausting cycle of binge eating disorder and regain control of your life.

We help individuals struggling with binge eating disorder along with other related eating disorders such as, anorexia, bulimia, OSFED, ARFID, orthorexia, and compulsive exercise. Our excellent Florida licensed clinicians, Jennifer Rollin LCSW-C, Lauren Levine, MSW, LCSW-C, and Rachel Steinhardt, LMHC provide virtual therapy throughout the state of Florida. We are here to help you through your journey and help you get through eating disorder recovery.

Schedule a free 15 min consult for eating disorder therapy in FL, or recovery coaching worldwide.
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Eating Disorder Therapy Boca Raton  is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping teens and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide virtual eating disorder therapy in Boca Raton, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Pinecrest, Parkland, Naples, Miami Shores, Palmetto Bay. Virtual eating disorder therapy throughout Florida. ​