Reviewed by최연승대표원장
I keep binge eating whenever I get stressed. What's the best way to resolve this?
Stress-induced binge eating can be divided into two main patterns: one where liver qi stagnation generates heat, leading to overeating, and another where stress weakens the spleen, causing loss of control. For the former, treatment focuses on soothing the liver; for the latter, strengthening the spleen is needed. Correct diagnosis of your pattern is essential before choosing an approach.
In Traditional Korean Medicine, stress-related binge eating is explained by two primary mechanisms: liver qi stagnation (肝氣鬱結) and spleen deficiency (脾虛). In the liver qi stagnation pattern, stress blocks the flow of liver qi, generating heat that irritates the stomach, causing sudden cravings for large amounts of food, especially sweet or spicy items. Treatment involves soothing the liver and regulating qi (疏肝理氣) using herbs and acupuncture to promote smooth circulation. In the spleen deficiency pattern, stress directly weakens the spleen's function. The spleen transforms food into energy, but when weakened, nutrients are poorly absorbed, leading to accumulation of dampness and phlegm. The body then demands more food, perpetuating binge cycles. Treatment focuses on strengthening the spleen (補脾健脾) with herbs, along with lifestyle measures like light post-meal walks or abdominal massage. In practice, the two types often overlap, so accurate differentiation through pulse and abdominal diagnosis is crucial. I completely understand the urge to open the refrigerator when stressed—rather than just forcing restraint, understanding the underlying cause can help you gradually improve.