Binge eating as escape from self-awareness.

Abstract

This article proposes that binge eating is motivated by a desire to escape from self-awareness. Binge eaters suffer from high standards and expectations, especially an acute sensitivity to the difficult (perceived) demands of others. When they fall short of these standards, they develop an aversive pattern of high self-awareness, characterized by unflattering views of self and concern over how they are perceived by others. These aversive self-perceptions are accompanied by emotional distress, which often includes anxiety and depression. To escape from this unpleasant state, binge eaters attempt the cognitive response of narrowing attention to the immediate stimulus environment and avoiding broadly meaningful thought. This narrowing of attention disengages normal inhibitions against eating and fosters an uncritical acceptance of irrational beliefs and thoughts. The escape model is capable of integrating much of the available evidence about binge eating.

A test of the continuity perspective across bulimic and binge eating pathology

“…As reflected in the continuum of differences between diagnostic groups, the increasing levels of pathology from obese nonbingers to bulimics suggest a pattern that is consistent with the premise put forth by Heatherton and Baumeister (1991) and supported by Stice and colleagues (1996) in their dual pathway model. Although Heatherton and Baumeister (1991) did not address the spectrum of eating disorders or the continuity/discontinuity perspective per se, they proposed that the motivation for bingeing comes from a need to escape self-awareness.…”

“…Although Heatherton and Baumeister (1991) did not address the spectrum of eating disorders or the continuity/discontinuity perspective per se, they proposed that the motivation for bingeing comes from a need to escape self-awareness. The bingeing serves as a short-term escape by allowing an individual to narrow her focus to the immediate present and potentially avoid painful affect.…”

Self-critical perfectionism and binge eating symptoms: A longitudinal test of the intervening role of psychological need frustration.

“…Indeed, some studies found that binge eating alleviates negative feelings in PERFECTIONISM AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED FRUSTRATION 23 the short term and helps to suppress extreme emotions (Munsch, Meyer, Quartier, & Wilhelm, 2012). Binge eating might thus be seen as a way to escape from negative self-awareness and from the need frustrating experiences (Heatherton & Baumeister, 1991). Second, need frustrating experiences require energy from an individual, which might cause ego-depletion.…”

The abstinence violation effect in child molesters

“…There has been some interesting research into the cognitive mediators of dieting and compulsive eating (Heatherington & Baumeister, 1991;Jansen, Merckelback, Osteerlaan, Tuiten, & Vanderhout, 1988;Polivy & Herman, 1991;Ruderman, 1985). There is some evidence that restrained eaters overeat after the disruption of self-control of caloric intake (Ogden & Wardle, 1991;Ruderman, 1986).…”