Q. I keep binge eating when I'm stressed. What should I do?

I keep binge eating when I'm stressed—what should I do? In reality, this is often not a lack of willpower but a matter of internal physiological mechanisms. Traditional Korean Medicine offers several perspectives: 【TKM Pathophysiology】 ✓ Liver Qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結) When stressed, the Liver's (Gan) Qi fails to circulate smoothly, leading to Liver Qi Stagnation. When the Liver fails to properly regulate the Spleen-Stomach (Piwei), appetite control weakens, resulting in binge eating. ✓ Spleen Deficiency with Damp-Phlegm (脾虛痰濕) If you have a naturally weak digestive system and stress is added, the Spleen-Stomach fails to properly transform food, causing Dampness and Phlegm to accumulate in the body. This leads to habitual eating even when not truly hungry. ✓ Heart-Kidney Disconnection (心腎交病) Chronic stress disrupts communication between the Heart (Xin) and Kidney (Shen), intensifying the psychological urge to fill emotions with food. 【Practical Checklist】 ✓ Pre-meal Anshin (Calming Spirit) Herbal Tea Drinking warm calming herbal tea (e.g., modified Gamseok-san formula) helps regulate Liver Qi. ✓ Liver Qi Circulation Exercise Light stretching, walking, or diaphragmatic breathing helps promote smooth Liver Qi flow. ✓ Minimize Blood Sugar Fluctuations High-GI foods (white rice, white bread, sweet snacks) cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes, triggering binge eating urges. Prioritizing protein, dietary fiber, and nuts first maintains satiety longer. ✓ Recognize Habitual Patterns Self-questioning habits like 'Do I repeatedly eat and regret it?' are important. 【TKM Treatment Considerations】 If self-management has limitations, herbal medicine to simultaneously strengthen the Liver and Spleen can be effective. Treatment approaches vary—clearing Liver Fire, tonifying Spleen Qi, or transforming Damp-Phlegm—depending on individual constitution and symptoms. Consulting directly with a practitioner allows for personalized herbal prescriptions. I also initially wondered, 'How can I be overweight while eating three regular meals?' But upon closer look, the habitual binge eating pattern turned out to stem from physical imbalance. I hope examining this together will be helpful for you.