Exploring the emotional, behavioural, and psychological factors behind overeating and how therapy can support better balance
Binge eating and overeating are complex behaviours that affect many people, often in ways that go beyond food. Eating can be tied to culture, stress relief, comfort, or social connection, but for some, patterns develop that feel out of control or distressing.
Binge eating involves consuming unusually large amounts of food in a discrete period while feeling a lack of control, often accompanied by shame or guilt.
Overeating more generally refers to eating beyond physical hunger, which can happen occasionally or more regularly. Understanding these patterns is the first step toward compassionate, evidence-based support.
Different Patterns of Eating Behaviour
Not all overeating is problematic, and occasional indulgence is part of normal eating. However, patterns can become concerning when they interfere with emotional well-being, daily functioning, or self-esteem.
Some people may overeat in response to stress, boredom, or negative emotions, while others experience frequent binge episodes, often triggered by dieting, emotional pressure, or restrictive eating patterns. Recognizing these patterns without judgment helps reduce shame and lays the foundation for effective change.
How Binge Eating Impacts Emotional Health
Binge eating and frequent overeating often interact with anxiety, low mood, trauma, and difficulties with emotion regulation. Food may temporarily soothe uncomfortable feelings, but over time it can reinforce cycles of guilt, shame, and emotional distress.
These patterns can also interfere with sleep, energy, focus, and overall mental health. For individuals with a history of trauma, eating behaviours may serve as a coping mechanism, providing momentary relief while keeping underlying emotional wounds unprocessed.
Why Compassion & Science Both Matter in Treatment
Shaming or blaming approaches are rarely effective. Evidence shows that individuals are more likely to change when they feel understood, supported, and empowered rather than judged.
Compassionate, evidence-based therapy helps people explore the function that eating behaviours serve, develop healthier ways to meet emotional needs, and build skills to tolerate discomfort without turning to food.
Evidence-Based Therapies for Binge Eating
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify triggers, unhelpful thinking patterns, and behaviours that maintain overeating or binge episodes. It provides tools to manage cravings, develop regular eating habits, and reduce self-criticism.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on accepting internal experiences—such as cravings, shame, or anxiety—while supporting actions aligned with personal values, like health, well-being, and self-respect.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) explores how different parts of a person may use food to soothe pain, manage stress, or protect against emotional overwhelm, fostering curiosity, compassion, and healing of underlying emotional needs or distressing feelings.
A Holistic Path Forward
Effective treatment integrates insight, skill-building, and emotional work, addressing both the behaviours and the internal experiences that drive them. Recovery is not about perfection; it is about cultivating awareness, self-compassion, and the ability to respond to emotions in healthier ways.
Whether someone is struggling with occasional overeating, frequent binge episodes, or supporting a loved one, understanding these behaviours in a nuanced and compassionate way opens the door to meaningful change.
If you are ready to explore evidence-based support for binge eating or overeating, we invite you to Contact Us to learn how therapy can help.
References:
Mars JA, Iqbal A, Rehman A. Binge Eating Disorder. [Updated 2024 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan.
