Letting Go of Shame During Binge Eating Disorder Recovery

I always knew I needed to let go of shame during binge eating disorder recovery and knew it would be a difficult road getting there. Letting go of the shame surrounding your eating disorder behaviors allows you freedom from the secrecy of your disorder and is essential while on the path to wellness. Here are tips on letting go of shame in binge eating disorder recovery.

Though I have been on all tracks of the eating disorder train, my binging behaviors have always held the most shame for me. They caused me to feel disgusting and like an unworthy human.

This shame I was feeling lead to me keeping my disorder a secret for many years. I was embarrassed and thought speaking about my behavior would cause others to judge me (What Is Stigma?). I wish I would have known this was not the case; in fact, it was very far from reality.

Letting Go of Shame Leads You Further Into Binge Eating Disorder Recovery

Shame causes us to feel distress because we feel we are doing something wrong (Guilt, Shame, and Responsibility in Mental Illness). If we are feeling this how is one expected to speak up about what is bringing on this emotion? I constantly asked myself this. In time, my disorder made me so miserable, speaking up was my only option.

When we open up and speak to the things that bring shame, that shame begins to lift. We see that others do not judge us or think we are awful people for our behavior. This brings on great relief that aids in the healing process.

There is no reason to have shame around your disease. We use disordered behaviors because we are unaware of a healthy way to cope with difficult experiences. We are simply trying to protect and comfort ourselves. However, there comes a point when this way of coping brings pain. This is when reaching out becomes necessary.

Speak up, lift the shame, and feel the freedom that will form. Let go of your shame to move forward in binge eating disorder recovery.