Binge Eating Disorder Recovery and Freedom from Diet Culture

The journey of recovery from Binge Eating Disorder (BED) can feel daunting, especially in a society with consistent messages glorifying dieting and prioritizing weight loss. Because BED affects more individuals than Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa combined, it is important for those struggling with BED, loved ones, and clinicians to develop a toolbox of evidence-based strategies and interventions for coping with difficult emotions, navigating diet culture, and pursuing a value-driven life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) present unique opportunities for understanding the experience of BED and learning new ways to relate to intrusive thoughts and painful emotions in order to disrupt cycles of avoidance that ultimately perpetuate the eating disorder and keep those struggling from living a full and meaningful life.

Educational Objectives

Following this presentation, participants will be able to...

• Describe diagnostic criteria for Binge Eating Disorder and common co-morbid struggles.
• Identify the role of experiential avoidance as a maintaining factor for Binge Eating Disorder.
• List ACT, DBT and CBT-based techniques to cope with difficult emotions and diet culture and to promote recovery.