Clearing up the definition of a "Binge"

A binge happens when you give in to cravings. This often occurs after a period of caloric restriction or food deprivation. People binge when they lack the will power to know any better. Binge eating is NOT the same as over eating.

I suffered from binge eating disorder, and although I still have some episodes here and there- I feel that I am relatively under control now. What bugs me is when someone tells me they went on a "binging spree" and ate 1,000 calories for lunch.

That. is. not. a. BINGE! That is SO far from a binge. When I binge, I can eat well over 5,000 calories per sitting. THAT is a binge. It's when you lose COMPLETE control, and for that one hour, eating is the only thing that can fix everything. But once you're done, you take a turn for the worse and you become so ashamed at your lack of will power.

 

So to everyone who thinks they have a binge disorder, take a second look at your habits. Maybe you are just a consistent over eater. Binge eating disorder isn't something to be taken lightly, you can't throw that word around carelessly.

I have similar thoughts about the term "anorexic"---
faar too many people label themselves as being "anorexic"-----which MY GUESS is they have never been diagnosed as truly anorexic and probably just restricted for like a month or so---
I'm not angry---just a little irritated that it's tossed around as such a meaningless word when in-fact it is a serious disease----
You can't say,..Oh, i didn't eat today---I'm anorexic--
FAR FROM!

i agree with BOTH of you. i also dont like it when people say they're OCD... which is a real disorder that can take over your life and doesnt mean "neat" or that something little bugs you. my mom is ocd and she cleans the tile grout for hours and hours but our house isnt uber clean. its stupid to even have that stereotype... X____x

people throw around the word binge a lot.. i dont think theres anything you can really do about it though i was pretty confused when i first got on this site... ehh i guess thats just the way people will be.... although it does kinda bug me and i bet it REALLY bothers people who have binge disorders.. sorta makes it seem like its not a big deal or difficult to overcome, maybe im wrong. O___o

i also have a friend who was underweight because she was doing drugs who claims she was "anorexic" just cuz you DONT eat because you dont even feel like it cuz ur trippin on speed all day DOESNT mean you have anything CLOSE to anorexia. theres so much more to it! its jsut people being insensitive and overgeneralizing conditions that they dont understand at all.

Ah, yes, or my own personal favorites: using "migraine" to mean "uncomfortable headache," and "depressed" to mean "bummed out."

 

Rarr. 

Aw man, I can't tell you how many kids at my school will do something like straighten their book and pencil on the desk and say something like "Sorry, thats my OCD kicking in."  Most of the time I just let it go and laugh b/c I know, and they know, that they're just kidding----but the one's who CONSTANTLY say things openly and loudly like "I have an anxiety disorder!" or "I'm a clepto!" or "I am totally a crazy pyro-maniac!" etc REALLY get on my nerves.  Its so painfully obvious that these kids just want attention but don't know any kind of positive way to get it.  Oh those people that think that they can only get people to like them if everyone else is feeling sorry for them and the ones who complain about something that could be easily fixed if they'd just take the initiative to start changing things themself also frustrate and annoy me.

"A binge happens when you give in to cravings."

I think that it is alot to do with the feelings that go with it rather than the actual amount that you eat. There's been a few occasions when I've done nothing for a while bit think of the cake/cookie/chocolate bar that have been in the cupboard. It distracts me from anything until I give in and eat one. But then I end up thinking well you've had one... it'd be okay to have another... so I end up having two, then three... six until its all gone. I never felt that I wanted to have them, so much as I just had to... sometimes I can just eat the same amount (in cals) all day and not have these feelings and that wouldn't be a binge to me.

I agree with everyone else too, I mean if we all started using these terms loosely, then we're going to miss the true meaning of any of it.

actually clinically (and according to the registrar (a doctor junior to the psychiatrist) on my eatin disorder programme). numerically a binge is put at about 1000cals but more importantly it is the manner in which it is eaten-out of control, urgently, rapidly, semi-chewing and in fear. also the feeling which occur after it are important.

so i dont think it is fair to say oh x doesnt binge coz its not as big or as bad as mine. i think it causes the same level of emtional distress

I have to agree with fidget84. I don't think you have to eat such a tremendous amount of calories as 5000 to define it as a binge. I've lost control, sat down and eaten about 1000 calories in a sitting to the point of being uncomfortable...Then I'm just so guilty afterwards... 

I do get annoyed with people who constantly talk about their "phobias" - when they truly just mean "afraid". For example, so many people think they have arachnophobia because they're freaked out by spiders. Phobias are much more intense and severe (otherwise they're not a "phobia"! Just a fear.) What annoys me more is that people will argue with me about this... Oh, please. 

I agree.

oh gosh. bingeing and anorexia are such extremes...and i have suffered/am suffering from one or the other. I was anorexic and had a heart rate of 35 bpm 2 months ago, now i am slightly overweight, due to binge eating disorder. i easily consumed about 6000 calories ffrom 3 to 7 today i feel sick, disgusted and gross.. it had been happening for the past month. can anyone help me.

Can i ask why you are giving so much power to a diagnostic label. Isnt the feelings behind the behaviour the important part not the label itself??

 

I personally hate the term anorexia. I hate it with a passion becuase the definition is so specific that so many people who suffer fromt eh thoughts, feeling and behaviours of anorexia are unable to receive the diagnosis becuase of ridgid criteria, which in many cases means not being able to receive the right level of treatment. 

Why are people so determined to give so much power to a label. If someone eats 1000cals and feels like they have binged, experiences the same feelings of guilt, disgust in oneself etc that someone who binges on 5000 cals. Then to me thats the same thing. Why should a number define the label.

BED - the number that seems to be important here is the calories involved, not the feelings behind the behaviour. To me thats wrong. 

Anorexia - the number important here seems to be the weight of the individual, whereas to me the thing that should be important is the feelings, thoughts and behaviour.

Bulimia - The number of b/p sessions in a day. Why should the number be important, the fact that someone is doing it it all is what is important. 

I understand how frustrating it can be to be really suffering from an illness and feel as though someone makes your struggel seem insignificant by using the label to define their own behaviour. Just becuase they dont struggel in the same way, or extent as you do doesnt mean they dont struggle at all.

can i ask why we are bringing up a post over a year old??

Was completely unaware it was an old post. I figure when a post is at the top of the page, its new. Appraently not

It is fine if other people also want the topic to be re introduced I guess -   but I have seen old posts where some one comes and writes a reply to another persons post that is like, over a year old.

Maybe posts should automatically be deleted after a year?      &nbs p;   

Because if a topic is THAT important to some one - than they can just start a new thread themselves. Instead of having to rely on old threads.

Original Post by personaltrainer87:

Maybe posts should automatically be deleted after a year?      &nbs p;  

Yeah I agree. I have accidentally brought up old threads when they were on the top page for some reason.

But mostly I think old threads get brought up again by new members who search the forums for something and don't realise there's so much old stuff on there.