If you are struggling with binge eating, you are not alone, and you are not broken. Many people living with binge eating disorder (BED) carry intense shame, self-blame, and the belief that they should be able to “just stop.” Others worry they will be judged, dismissed, or told to try harder.
At SpringSource: Eating, Weight & Mood Disorders, we provide specialized therapy for binge eating disorder in Chicago, Northbrook, and virtual sessions throughout Illinois.
We approach binge eating with compassion and clinical depth. BED is not a personal failure. It is a treatable eating disorder shaped by biology, emotion, and lived experience. With the right support, recovery is possible, and your relationship with food can become calmer and more stable.
Whether you are looking for eating disorder therapy in Chicago, eating disorder therapy in Northbrook, or virtual eating disorder therapy throughout Illinois, our clinicians are here to help you begin.
Binge eating disorder involves recurring episodes of eating that feel out of control and are often followed by distress. A binge may involve eating more than feels comfortable, eating rapidly, eating when not physically hungry, or eating in secret due to embarrassment. Many people feel guilt, shame, or sadness afterward.
BED can affect people across body sizes, genders, and backgrounds. It is not defined by appearance. It is defined by the experience of loss of control and the emotional impact the cycle has on your life.
Binge eating is also commonly connected to dieting and restriction. Many people swing between “being good” with food and then feeling overwhelmed, depleted, or emotionally flooded, which can lead to binge episodes. Over time, the pattern becomes reinforcing: restriction increases urgency, bingeing brings temporary relief or numbness, and shame fuels the desire to restrict again.
Only a licensed professional can diagnose binge eating disorder, but if you are wondering whether your experience may fit BED, these questions can help clarify what is going on. Think about the past three months:
If these feel familiar, it is worth talking with a therapist who specializes in eating disorders. You do not need to be certain to reach out. You only need to be open to support.
Binge eating disorder usually develops from a complex combination of factors. Many people use food as a way to cope with difficult emotions, stress, loneliness, anxiety, depression, or trauma. Others describe bingeing as a way to “check out,” numb out, soothe, or fill a sense of emptiness.
There may also be biological contributors, including genetic vulnerability and differences in brain systems tied to hunger cues, stress response, and reward. BED is often reinforced by shame and secrecy, which can make the cycle feel even harder to interrupt.
Sociocultural pressure plays a role too. Diet culture teaches people to mistrust their bodies, chase unrealistic standards, and interpret eating as a moral issue. For many individuals, attempts to diet or restrict intensify binge urges and increase the risk of becoming stuck in a binge-restrict loop.
BED often creates a predictable rhythm, even when someone desperately wants things to change.
Morning can begin with a sense of resolve, often driven by guilt from a previous episode. This may lead to skipping breakfast or eating very little, accompanied by self-criticism.
As the day goes on, stress builds, hunger increases, and the mind becomes preoccupied with food. By afternoon or evening, loneliness, fatigue, emotional overwhelm, or tension from earlier restriction can trigger a binge. During the episode, a person may feel relief, numbness, or escape. Soon after, shame and regret arrive, often alongside physical discomfort.
Nighttime can become especially difficult. Many people make promises to “fix it tomorrow,” only to repeat the cycle. Over time, BED can lead to social withdrawal, avoidance of eating in public, and a growing sense of isolation.
If this pattern feels familiar, treatment can help you interrupt it with care, not punishment.
At SpringSource Eating, Weight, and Mood Disorders, our approach to binge eating disorder is evidence-based and deeply compassionate. We treat BED as more than a behavior to eliminate. We address the full system: emotions, thoughts, nervous system patterns, shame, and the relationship with food.
Treatment may include:
Therapy
We often use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), along with trauma-informed care when relevant. Therapy helps you identify triggers, build emotional regulation skills, and reduce the urgency that fuels binge episodes.
Nutritional Support
We collaborate with eating disorder-informed dietitians to help normalize eating patterns, reduce restriction, and rebuild trust in hunger and fullness cues. For many people, a consistent, supportive plan reduces binge frequency over time.
Coping Skills and Somatic Tools
Mindfulness, journaling, distress tolerance skills, and somatic exercises can help you manage stress and emotion without turning to food for relief.
Support for Co-Occurring Concerns
BED often overlaps with anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and perfectionism. We address these layers directly because recovery is stronger when the whole person is treated.
We provide eating disorder treatment for adults first and foremost, with thoughtful support for adolescents and young adults when appropriate. Care is always individualized.
Binge eating disorder can convince people they are failing, when what they are actually experiencing is a treatable condition.
You do not have to white-knuckle this alone. You do not have to wait until things get worse. You do not have to be at a certain weight to “qualify” for help.
At SpringSource Eating, Weight, and Mood Disorders, we offer eating disorder therapy in Chicago and Northbrook, as well as virtual eating disorder therapy throughout Illinois. We also provide a free 15-minute consultation so you can explore next steps with support.
Call 224-202-6260 or reach out through our contact form to connect with our team. We would be honored to help you move toward a steadier, more peaceful relationship with food and with yourself.
We provide in-person therapy in Northbrook and Chicago, with telehealth therapy available throughout Illinois.
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