How to Use Binge-Purge Delay in Recovery
Binging and purging are two behaviours that your child may experience if they are living with an eating disorder. In particular, those living with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder are particularly vulnerable to binge or purge behaviours. A tool we recommend to help prevent a binge-purge cycle is called the Binge Purge Delay.
Binge Meaning
Binge eating occurs when folks eat a very large amount of food within a short period of time. This is not to be confused with eating more than you usually would, but rather eating more than a typical person would within a similar period of time. This is often to the point of feeling physically uncomfortable or being sick. Folks who experience bingeing typically feel out of control, as well as feel a sense of shame and guilt when they binge eat.
Overeating vs Binge Eating
Most people experience overeating during their life. This is normal and very different from binge eating. Overeating could be eating to the point of feeling uncomfortable at holiday meals, or having too much dessert after dinner and feeling ill.
Binge eating is different than overeating in a few ways:
- Feeling out of control
- Food is eaten rapidly/very quickly
- Feeling disgust, shame, and guilt after eating
- Eating alone or hiding evidence of eating because we feel embarrassed
Purge Behaviours
Purging happens after eating to rid the body of the food or calories consumed. This is often seen in folks who live with bulimia nervosa or similar eating disorders. Purging can happen at any time, but it is often after a binge eating episode.
There are many forms of purging to be on the look out for if you believe your child may be at risk. These include, but are not limited to:
- Self-induced vomiting
- Laxative abuse
- Diuretic misuse
- Overexercising
The Binge-Purge Cycle
The binge-purge cycle is a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours experienced by those living with bulimia nervosa. Portions of this cycle may also be experienced by folks living with other eating disorders, particularly binge eating disorder.
The binge-purge cycle typically goes:
- Diet or restriction
- Binge eating episode
- Purging episode
- Repeat
This cycle continues to perpetuate itself, or it seems to never end. If your child is experiencing this cycle, you and your child may feel out of control or powerless. You are not alone.
The very first step is understanding the cycle, and then using tools and resources to try and avoid the cycle from restarting. By being here now, you’ve already started.
Binge-Purge Delay
The binge-purge delay is a tool we often recommend to folks when they experience a binge eating episode coming on. It is a way we can manage and interrupt the symptoms of an eating disorder.
This strategy is similar to urge surfing, which is a tool we often teach parents and families with children experiencing eating disorders.
1. Set A Timer
When your child starts to have the urge to binge eat, have them or yourself set a timer. At first, the timer can be for as long as we think we can manage.
In our practice, we usually recommend starting with a timer of 10 minutes, but remember that every child is unique. We want to meet the child where they are at, and if they feel they can only handle a 1 minute timer that is okay.
Whatever your child thinks they can manage, try adding one minute to that. If your child thinks they could handle a timer of 10 minute, try setting the timer for 11 minutes. Or if they think they could do a 2 minute timer, try setting a 3 minute timer.
As your child uses this tool and their confidence increases, increase the time set.
2. Delaying a Binge
When we are delaying an episode of bingeing, we want to encourage the child to use their alternative coping strategies. We recommend having a list ready of activities that your child enjoys doing or have been successful using in the past. Activities could include watching a show or favourite movie, knitting or sewing, playing with pets, or 5 minutes of square breathing. These activities can be used to delay a binge.
3. If There Is Still An Urge to Binge
If your child still has the urge to binge eat after the timer goes off, then we allow them to. We never recommend interrupting a binge eating episode. We also want to remain neutral about the binge during and after it has happened.
Feelings of guilt, shame, or blame will only encourage the binge-purge cycle to continue. If your child is able to avoid the binge, that is a victory. If your child is able to not binge during the delay timer but binge eats after the timer goes off, that is also a victory.
Urge Surfing
Try to imagine urges are waves. They start small, come on gradually, and eventually reach a peak. Usually an urge takes about 15-30 minutes to subside. If we are able to get folks distracted or away from the binge for that time, they tend to be able to avoid it altogether.
How to Help Your Child With a Binge-Purge Cycle
If your child is living with an eating disorder and you may feel tired, scared, or burnt out – you are not alone. Our team of dietitians and therapists work with hundreds of families with children affected by eating disorders each year. If you want to learn more about how we can help, click below to book a free consultation call with us.
