Comments
buzzzzz1 t1_j02xiln wrote
This made me wonder what % of the population experience childhood abuse, neglect, or other trauma. It looks like around 25%
Approximately one in four children experience child abuse or neglect in their lifetime. Of maltreated children, 18 percent are abused physically, 78 percent are neglected, and 9 percent are abused sexually.
EmRaff7 t1_j02yol9 wrote
That’s such a sad statistic. I can’t imagine 25% of kids going through anything close to what I went through without wanting to cry
uninstallIE t1_j031z6p wrote
Binge eating disorder is also more common than all other eating disorders combined. It is also very much considered to be highly under diagnosed.
Frequent_Blueberry71 t1_j0321ti wrote
I'm surprised a greater percentage of Americans don't have binge eating disorder.
uninstallIE t1_j03275m wrote
Some people genuinely believe that going on a diet for a little while will slippery slope you into anorexia nervosa. It is important to regularly produce science that tests our assumptions, re-confirms our previously established knowledge, and provides new data on important questions. That's what science is all about.
Jaze_ca t1_j032evk wrote
I know, but some things are blatantly, obviously fact!
uninstallIE t1_j032s3h wrote
While I agree, two of the most popular ways of eating involve believing fruits and vegetables are bad for you. I'll never underestimate the stupidity of people. Especially after the last 3 years of this pandemic
Jaze_ca t1_j033prf wrote
Have to agree with you now. I didn't know just how insane we really are.
ICOrthogonal t1_j0354ql wrote
It’s incredibly sad. Part of my sometimes painful journey into adulthood has also been coming to terms with childhood (emotional) abuse/neglect…and part of that has been a growing awareness of how disgustingly common it is.
Tangentially related: The Body Keeps the Score has been a useful resource (book) for me. Might be worth checking out if you haven’t explored it yet.
mayormcskeeze t1_j036q9l wrote
What's the medical definition?
I wonder if I do this.
I mean, I definitely binge eat, and stress eat, and stress-binge eat by my own definition, but I wonder if I do it to the point that it's a medical eating disorder.
Ineedavodka2019 t1_j03b80r wrote
This study doesn’t even account for emotional and psychological abuse. If you include those the statistic is much higher than 25%.
Ineedavodka2019 t1_j03bie7 wrote
Here is some info from the Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353627
Tumblrhoe t1_j03db9n wrote
I have Binge Eating Disorder (BED) - the standard diagnostic criteria is laid out in the DSM-5 which is the major diagnostic manual for psychiatric disorders. Stress eating alone isn't a full qualification, but may be one symptom in conjunction with other things like hiding your food, distress about eating, etc..
Be careful with self-diagnosis, as my experience is people who blindly go in self-diagnosing without a plan of care can find they start triggering their disorder more because you become hyper aware of it. If you feel like the characteristics described here are particularly applicable it would be a good idea to set up an appointment with a psychiatrist, therapist, and/or medical doctor.
It took me a few years of consistent work but I was able to get control over my BED through the use of medication and EMDR therapy to identify the root triggers from childhood (friends in 2nd grade suddenly hated me but the lunch lady was nice to me and would hug me if I ate all my food).
Knowing what you have is truly just the first step, so be sure to have a plan in place and get professional care if you can.
Gayfunguy t1_j03fqd4 wrote
Well they probably do. You have to get people to be honist and also interview everyone. Ive had clients lie to my face and then out the truth right after. People are prideful.
cadwellingtonsfinest t1_j03hgku wrote
I thought like 3/4ths of all kids end up with at least some attachment trauma?
zombietampons t1_j03mar9 wrote
The other 97% just enjoy eating.
SilverCat70 t1_j03n4me wrote
Interesting. I wonder how jobs and their scheduled short breaks have increased the chances of binge eating. Most people have 30 minute lunch scheduled not always when they are hungry. Add to the average work day hours is the commute distance between home and work. Then add in additional time and stress due to other commitments, that may delay the next meal. So, people may be overeating rapidly when they are not hungry because the next meal is so far away.
Also, more people are being diagnosed with ADHD and similar that can cause executive dysfunction. The constant what to eat, get everything, then cook and clean can cause massive stress. So, they could binge eat to avoid the stress of yet another meal decision and everything that goes along with it.
Tofukjtten t1_j0489k6 wrote
it's weird how being in that statistic skews your perception. I thought the number would be higher.
MajorArtery t1_j049utb wrote
Apparently every single negative thing that any human has done ever in the history of the world can now be explained by factors outside their control. As a species, individually, we are in fact flawless.
cantgetitrightrose t1_j04mlop wrote
I read the article but I am not a scientist. I am trying to figure out what part of the brain they are stimulating to reduce binging. It seems like they are getting an opiate like effect in a part of the midbrain? Does anyone understand?
MagazineEfficient395 t1_j05e5sn wrote
Yeah bc ppl don’t take it seriously. It’s seen as a moral failure not a mental health issue. They tell you “just eat healthy and exercise” like it’s so freaking easy when you eat for emotional reasons.
Otherwise-Way-1176 t1_j05oxot wrote
We’re all grateful that you were willing to show up and demonstrate that some people are just flawed.
What does your comment have to do with the study at all??
Silverfrost_01 t1_j05sf5o wrote
Because for all the pains of trying, not trying is worse.
Saladcitypig t1_j05u7dv wrote
The saddest aspect of this is how a ton of young girls who were sexually abused develop this issue, but the outside world just tells them they are hideous and lazy when they are unconsciously trying to protect themselves and soothe themselves. This is one reason I’m am adamantly against fat shaming.
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aledba t1_j065tw1 wrote
It makes me so angry and sad, because that's why my mom had a negative relationship with food. And then I learned to binge from her.
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Saladcitypig t1_j068kwx wrote
It's incredibly unfair. And there is little care in our society unless you search for it.
Just know people like me understand, and not once judge you and just hope you can find your best coping and mitigation tactics and lots of care. I wish I could make all the bad feelings about this just disappear for you.
Stay strong sister or don't, but above all be kind to yourself. :)
Popcorn_Blitz t1_j06taft wrote
What's the definition of neglect though? That seems like it could be rather broad.
TakiTikiToe t1_j06w836 wrote
I know I have BED and try to solve it by myself, but looking at your post makes me think I should possibly go into therapy for it.
Nellasofdoriath t1_j06wiou wrote
Idk if it's pride.or.just protecting themselves from hurtful comments people get all the timr
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Twisted_Cabbage t1_j075rcq wrote
There couldn't be a more fitting disorder for a capitalist system of exploitation. The food companies, grocery stores, restaurants, fitness professionals, and doctors all benefit from a revolving door that comes with our unregulated food systems excess consumption...literally in this case.
gg14t t1_j07c22f wrote
People also don’t differentiate binge eating disorder versus lack of education around health etc. for example, trying to teach those with BED portion control instead of treating the underlying mental health concerns
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Wychfyre t1_j08werp wrote
I have that as an audio book. I have to listen in small chunks because it can be overwhelming. It has helped me out considerably.
Tumblrhoe t1_j09gba5 wrote
I highly recommend therapy - especially seeing a therapist that is certified to perform EMDR therapy. While a lot of different therapy modalities can help, if you feel that your BED may be caused by trauma EMDR therapy is really the gold standard treatment.
I still struggle day to day, but I'm nearly 3 years in to treatment and it's been night and day. My therapist got me to a place where I was comfortable with food again, and he actually encouraged me to do some things that seemed incredibly counterintuitive at the time from what I had read online.
One example would be he helped me see that the unknown was causing me to binge. I'd eat something and ignore the calories because I was scared and didn't want to know, which would cause me to binge more. Now I calorie count and keep track and it really helps me. Almost like shining the light on the boogey man and realizing the small handful of chips isn't 4000 calories. For others that could be terrible advice because they would obsess over it, but for me it was what I needed to feel stable.
A lot of the advice works for some and not others, so having a professional help me figure out the emotional side so I could tackle the day to day side was massive.
I'd "handled" my BED on my own for nearly my entire life. Huge swings in weight, a lot of self hate, and many moments of lost happiness were the results for me. It took finally sitting down and admitting I needed outside help before I saw lasting improvement.
You can do it!
ICOrthogonal t1_j09jbm2 wrote
Are you me? You just described me, right down to the audiobook.
Professional_Mud_316 t1_j0iwpm9 wrote
“The way a society functions is a reflection of the childrearing practices of that society. Today we reap what we have sown. Despite the well-documented critical nature of early life experiences, we dedicate few resources to this time of life. We do not educate our children about child development, parenting, or the impact of neglect and trauma on children.”
—Dr. Bruce D. Perry, Ph.D. & Dr. John Marcellus
__________
When I asked a BC Teachers’ Federation official over the phone whether there is any childrearing or child-development science curriculum taught in any of B.C.’s school districts, he immediately replied there is not. When I asked the reason for its absence and whether it may be due to the subject matter being too controversial, he replied with a simple “Yes”.
This strongly suggests there are philosophical thus political obstacles to teaching students such crucial life skills as nourishingly parenting one’s children. To me, it’s difficult to imagine that teaching parenting curriculum would be considered more controversial than, say, teaching students Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum, beginning in Kindergarten, as is currently taught in B.C. public schools.
I believe that too many people will procreate regardless of their questionable ability to raise their children in a psychologically functional/healthy manner.
Being free nations, society cannot prevent anyone from bearing children; society can, however, educate all young people for the most important job ever, even those who plan to remain childless. I would like to see child-development science curriculum implemented for secondary high school students, and it would also include neurodiversity, albeit not overly complicated. It would be mandatory course material, however, and considerably more detailed than what’s already covered by home economics, etcetera, curriculum: e.g. diaper changing, baby feeding and so forth.
I don’t think the latter is anywhere near sufficient (at least not how I experienced it) when it comes to the proper development of a child’s mind. For one thing, the curriculum could/would make available to students potentially valuable/useful knowledge about their own psyches and why they are the way they are.
Additionally, besides their own nature, students can also learn about the natures of their peers, which might foster greater tolerance for atypical personalities. If nothing else, the curriculum could offer students an idea/clue as to whether they’re emotionally suited for the immense responsibility and strains of parenthood.
There’s so much to know and understand about child development (science) in order to properly/functionally rear a child to his/her full potential in life. I once read an ironic quote from a children’s health academic that, “You have to pass a test to drive a car or to become a … citizen, but there’s no exam required to become a parent. And yet child abuse can stem from a lack of awareness about child development.”
By not teaching child-development science to high school students, is it not as though societally we’re implying that anyone can comfortably enough go forth with unconditionally bearing children with whatever minute amount, if any at all, of such vital knowledge they happen to have acquired over time? It's like we’ll somehow, in blind anticipation, be innately inclined to fully understand and appropriately nurture our children’s naturally developing minds and needs.
I can’t help wondering how many instances there have been wherein immense long-term suffering by children of dysfunctional rearing might have been prevented had the parent(s) received, as high school students, some crucial child development science education by way of mandatory curriculum. After all, dysfunctional and/or abusive parents, for example, may not have had the chance to be anything else due to their lack of such education and their own dysfunctional/abusive rearing as children.
Since so much of our lifelong health comes from our childhood experiences, childhood mental health-care should generate as much societal concern and government funding as does physical health, even though psychological illness/dysfunction typically is not immediately visually observable.
A psychologically and emotionally sound (as well as a physically healthy) future should be every child’s foremost right, especially considering the very troubled world into which they never asked to enter.
Sadly, due to the common OIIIMOBY mindset (Only If It’s In My Own Back Yard), the prevailing collective attitude, however implicit or subconscious, basically follows: ‘Why should I care — my kids are alright?’ or ‘What is in it for me, the taxpayer, if I support programs for other people’s troubled children?’
The wellbeing of all children — and not just what other parents’ children might/will cost us as future criminals or costly cases of government care, etcetera — should be of great importance to us all, regardless of whether we’re doing a great job with our own developing children.
_____________
“It has been said that if child abuse and neglect were to disappear today, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual would shrink to the size of a pamphlet in two generations, and the prisons would empty. Or, as Bernie Siegel, MD, puts it, quite simply, after half a century of practicing medicine, ‘I have become convinced that our number-one public health problem is our childhood’.”
—Childhood Disrupted, pg.228
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