Ozempic and Binge Eating
I Have Been Specializing in Eating Disorders for Many Years
I am generally very wary of any fad diets, extreme workout plans, or medication assistance in weight loss. Of course, if your eating disorder is restrictive in nature, this information is NOT for you!
However, I have had some success with binge-eating patients who are in a dangerous overweight zone taking Ozempic or its other sister medications in conjunction with psychotherapy, and wanted to offer some perspective.
Can Ozempic Help with Binge Eating Disorder?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is primarily a medication used for managing type 2 diabetes and weight loss, but it has shown some potential in helping with binge eating disorder (BED) as well. While not officially approved for treating BED, it may assist with controlling binge eating episodes due to its effect on appetite regulation and satiety.
Semaglutide mimics a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which helps regulate hunger and food intake by slowing stomach emptying and signaling feelings of fullness to the brain. Some patients with BED have reported reduced urges to binge eat when using medications like Ozempic, as they feel more satisfied with smaller portions and experience reduced cravings. Patients have told me that they are typically less inclined to eat past the point of feeling full, think about food less, and especially crave sugary foods less. Basically, it helps the “food noise” and intense cravings die down so that we can get in touch with the emotions that are being medicated through food in the psychotherapy process.
Again, I want to state the disclaimer for people who undereat, over-exercise, have been diagnosed with anorexia, or are underweight or at normal weight, I am NOT speaking to you in this blog. The case for a person to potentially benefit from medication in conjunction with therapy is for a person who is significantly overweight and struggling with binge eating as a starting place to calm down some of the binge eating so that real clinical work can begin to take place.
I also think it’s important to state that there should be a firm stopping point for a couple of reasons.
There isn’t enough research about the long-term effects of these drugs on overall health. I know for some people weight loss trumps everything, but total wellness is always my goal as a clinician. Also, there’s the danger of swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction and now we are treating a restrictive disorder. Eating disorders tend to act in extremes and again, the goal is a healthy, manageable lifestyle and weight.
Ozempic and other like medications are something to consider if you are significantly overweight and feeling unable to control the intake of food, but you should always be consulting with a licensed mental health counselor who specializes in eating disorders as well as a medical professional who can help monitor progress. And then, utilize the time to get significant clinical work done regarding the underlying causes of the relationship with food.
Start Working With a Binge Eating Therapist in Delray Beach, FL
While weight loss drugs like Ozempic can help individuals cope with the effects of eating disorders, having the right mental support is also vital in your recovery journey. Our team of caring therapists can offer support by monitoring progress and providing lasting coping skills. Start your therapy journey with the Mangrove Therapy group by following these simple steps:
- Contact Mangrove Therapy
- Meet with a caring therapist
- Start experiencing the benefits of medicine and mental health support!
Other Services Offered with Mangrove Therapy
Eating disorder treatment isn’t the only service offered by the team at Mangrove Therapy Group. Our therapists are experts in treating trauma and PTSD/C-PTSD, substance use disorders, EMDR, body image issues, anger management, anxiety, low self-esteem, personality disorders, and much more. Please feel free to learn more about how we can support you. We also offer support with addictions such as process addictions, grief and loss, EMDR, “Failure to Launch” syndrome, CBT, and DBT. Feel free to learn more by visiting our blog or FAQ page to learn more today!