Residential Binge Eating Disorder Treatment in Beautiful Malaysia

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is a common and serious eating disorder. Binge Eating Disorder is often overlooked, and people challenged by this disorder can often be viewed as less of a priority compared to those diagnosed with other types of eating disorders. Sometimes young people talk about a hierarchy of eating disorders, which can leave individuals with BED feeling less important, and they’re suffering trivialised by their peers and the medical profession.

Binge Eating Disorder is a severe mental illness. People diagnosed with BED frequently consume large amounts of food and feel unable to stop. Binge Eating Disorder may occur with intrusive or reparative thoughts and may be accompanied by feelings of numbness or compulsive behaviours.

BED can feel embarrassing, and some young people and families may become angry and frustrated and believe they can stop on their own. BED has nothing to do with choice, willpower or weakness. Diets do not help and can cause a great deal of harm.

Binge Eating Disorder does not have a specified ‘weight’ and is not visible in a person’s body shape or clothes size.

We are here to help

The Wave Eating Disorder Admissions Team can be contacted on:

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Wave Clinic: Specialists in Teen Eating Disorders
+60 327 271 799 (General Enquiries)
+60 125 227 734 (Admissions)

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Wave International Group LLC
+971 438 354 01

What Is It and How Does It Work?

Treatment for Binge Eating Disorder

At The Wave, we understand that every young person’s experience with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is unique. That’s why our team of professionals receives specialised training in the management of BED and provides a supportive and empathetic atmosphere to help young people achieve full recovery.

While treatment plans for BED can vary significantly from person to person, therapy is essential for most individuals on their path to recovery. This is because the underlying causes of BED often have a psychological or emotional basis.

Our program takes a personalised approach to develop tailored treatment plans and interventions to address each individual’s specific challenges. We offer a range of evidence-based treatment methods, including:

  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Eating disorder dietician-led sessions
  • Group therapy dedicated to food and body challenges
  • Creative arts therapy
  • Dance and movement therapy

Our program has successfully treated numerous young people with BED, empowering them to manage their symptoms and overcome unhelpful coping strategies. If you or someone you know is struggling with BED, we’re here to hel

Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder in Teens

BED has a range of different symptoms which can include eating:

  • Large amounts of food in a short space of time on a regular basis
  • Until people are uncomfortably full
  • Alone, in secret, or hiding food
  • Followed by depression, shame, guilt, fatigue, frequent diets, restrictions, or rules
  • Quickly and sometimes without adequately chewing
  • Being accompanied by physical sensations or somatic experiences

Binge Eating Disorder is different to Bulimia Nervosa. While both BED and Bulimia are serious mental health conditions involving large amounts of food, BED is not usually accompanied by purging, vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics.

Binge eating disorder can significantly impact daily living, education, domestic life and interpersonal relationships.

Further risk factor symptoms include:

  • Trauma (PTSD and CPTSD)
  • Feeling unhappy in body shape and size in childhood
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Psychotic disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Perfectionism
  • Dysbiosis (gut microbiota alteration)
  • Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
  • Co-occurring mental health concerns
  • Family concerns with weight, shape, food and body image
  • Sensitivity to shame and stigma

Diagnosing Binge Eating Disorder

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is an eating disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period, accompanied by a sense of lack of control. People with BED may feel guilty or ashamed about their eating behaviour and may experience negative emotions afterwards.

In addition to binge eating, other signs used to diagnose BED may include a preoccupation with body weight and shape, avoidance of social situations involving food, and feeling distressed about binge eating behaviours.

It is important to note that eating disorders can present with mixed symptoms or appear in different forms. When considering a diagnosis of BED, it is important to also consider other related conditions such as Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and Anxiety.

“I came to The Wave about 2 ½ years ago, and I can’t speak highly enough about their service, support, and love I received (and still do) from the team. They have helped me build stable foundations for a life that now feels worth living. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their amazing help, and I am lucky enough to call them my family.”

Binge Eating Disorder therapies and treatment options

Recovering from Binge Eating Disorder

During a young person’s stay with us, they’ll experience a range of therapies and treatment options. Some of our most popular include:

Trauma-focused treatment of Binge Eating Disorder

Trauma-focused treatment of Binge Eating Disorder is at the heart of treatment at The Wave. We understand that the symptoms of BED are a non-verbal demonstration of the pain the young person is experiencing and that behaviours have become a coping mechanism.

We work with young people and families to gently guide the trauma work using Internal Family Systems (IFS), Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT), and creative therapies to tackle co-occurring conditions.

One-to-One Therapy

During one-to-one therapy, each young person meets regularly with a dedicated therapist. These sessions offer a safe space for them to open up, share any worries and concerns, and get to the root of their condition. Young people are also encouraged to learn how to handle their emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms and associations with food.

Group Therapy

At The Wave, we place a strong emphasis on team spirit and building relationships. After all, having a strong support network helps many people when the time comes for them to transition back into their lives back home. That’s why so many of our activities and therapies are focused on cultivating relationships.

Although some young people find it a little daunting to open up, group therapy is a great way to learn from others on a similar journey. Our young people also find that group therapy enables them to form long-lasting friendships with other people. In addition, hearing from others who’ve battled an eating disorder shows our young people that they’re not alone and gives them the chance to hear how others cope with the condition. There’s also a greater sense of accountability, as everyone will have each other’s backs.

Eating Disorder-Informed Yoga

A special category of yoga, eating disorder-informed yoga is gentle and non-aerobic, making it ideal for those with Binge Eating Disorder who may have experienced malnutrition.

Eating disorder-informed yoga offers a gentle workout focused on the mental rather than the physical. During sessions, young people are guided through different movements, each designed to help them develop emotional awareness and trust in their bodies. It’s all about developing healthy habits that give young people ownership over their bodies.

Alternative Therapies

From dance and art therapy to reiki and mindfulness, we offer a range of alternative therapies to enhance wellness and promote healing from the inside out. Being exposed to natural healing treatments can relieve stress, helping many people better cope with negative emotions and those moments when they feel like slipping back into old habits.

Creative therapies like art, dance, and drama offers the chance to express emotions and let go of negative associations with food. These therapies also help many develop new skills and hobbies that they can use once they’ve left our clinic – ideal for channelling their energy into something creative.

Gardening Groups

Known as horticultural therapy, our gardening group programmes offer our young people the chance to garden and look after their own bed of flowers and plants. This ownership gives them responsibility for something, empowering them to look after the seeds they’ve sown. Not only does this show them the power of care and compassion, but these skills can also be directly translated into how they look after themselves.

Flowers take time to grow, but they flourish with the right care and support, just like young people in recovery will. We also offer young people the opportunity to plant fruits and vegetables, enabling them to be involved with food from the moment it’s planted.

Family Therapy​

Binge Eating Disorder can take a toll on the whole family, and it can sometimes be difficult for loved ones to truly understand what a young person is going through and why. Our family therapy sessions are a safe space for everyone to open up, voice their feelings and concerns, and better understand one another.

Nutrition for Eating Disorders

During a young person’s stay at The Wave, they have a personalised nutritional programme tailored to their specific needs. This ensures that those in recovery from an eating disorder get all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay strong and recover. We also offer a wide range of education on nutrition, food groups, and how nutrition affects the body.

Over time, young people in our care slowly learn to develop healthy and regular eating patterns and meal planning. We take everything at our young adult’s pace, helping them adjust to the changes smoothly.

Frequently asked questions

Binge Eating Disorder FAQ's

Yes, Binge Eating Disorder can be treated through a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and nutritional counseling. Early intervention and treatment are critical for a successful outcome.

Binge Eating Disorder is a complex disorder with multiple causes, including genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. Young people who experience low self-esteem, negative body image, and difficulties coping with stress or emotions may be more vulnerable to developing Binge Eating Disorder.

Professional associations and memberships

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