I tend to binge eat whenever I'm stressed. How can I solve this?
It is important to first assess your physical state. Do you experience extreme drowsiness after meals, constant cravings for sweets accompanied by chest tightness, or a desire to keep eating despite being full? If any of these apply, it is likely not a lack of willpower, but a signal of 'false hunger' caused by a disrupted internal circulation system.
Many people try to fight binge eating with willpower alone, but in Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is often viewed as a manifestation of internal imbalance rather than a lack of discipline.
A primary cause is 'Dam-eum' (phlegm-fluid retention), where metabolic waste accumulates and obstructs the flow of Qi. This can lead to a heavy feeling in the head and impaired digestion, which paradoxically triggers false hunger. Additionally, 'Bi-heo' (Spleen Deficiency) means the Spleen's function in transforming and transporting nutrients is weakened; as a result, the body mistakenly perceives an energy deficit and continuously craves food.
When these issues are combined with 'Gi-che' (Qi Stagnation) caused by stress and 'Eohyeol' (Blood Stasis), a vicious cycle develops where psychological anxiety is translated into appetite. Rather than restrictive dieting, the most effective approach is to identify which specific system is blocked. I recommend receiving a professional diagnosis to determine if your condition is rooted in Dam-eum or Spleen Deficiency, and then focusing on restarting your body's metabolic switches through tailored treatment.
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