ABSTRACT
People might avoid seeking help for fear of being coerced into eating more and gaining weight, or might even believe that their behaviours are "normal", given that dieting has become not only culturally acceptable but increasingly societally commendable. Binge eating has been found by Heatherton and Baumeister to induce a trance-like state, which can serve to facilitate an escape from negative feelings. Obesity arising from binge eating can have far-reaching health implications in addition to any psychological distress. Disordered eating patterns offer a clear and powerful window into the make-up of our current culture. People with an eating disorder diagnosis have been shown to display less aggressive behaviour, with a strong tendency not to assert themselves. The most terrifying element of eating healthily again can, therefore, be the fact that life begins moving and there is a need to figure out a way of moving with it.
