Binge eating often comes with large helpings of guilt and shame, and a supersized dose of self-criticism that brings up the urge to purge to try and undo the damage.
"It can become a vicious, dangerous cycle," says Dr Esben Strodl, from QUT's School of Psychology and Counselling, who is calling for volunteers to complete and evaluate the program devices by the School's Eating Disorders Service.
"The program is backed by strong research evidence, for adults with binge eating problems and incorporates the latest findings for developing positive habits," Dr Strodl said.
"It is a guided, self-help cognitive behaviour therapy-based program that adults can undertake with a trained therapist.
"The program is combines the best research on the efficacy of programs in which people self-direct their own treatment.
"It's been found that people who want to make lifestyle changes and adopt healthier habits while dropping harmful ones do better when they are given the tools to empower themselves and take charge of their treatment."
Dr Strodl said the program was suitable for people concerned about their binge eating who are of normal weight or overweight.
"People might overeat when they're happy, or when they are sad or maybe they are not even aware of what triggers a bout of binge eating, but the common denominator is they are overwhelmed by negative feelings afterwards.
"These feelings can start the binge eating cycle again.
"The program we offer at QUT helps people to monitor and change their unhelpful thinking patterns regarding food intake, and helps them to gain greater control over where they focus their attention, in order move to a healthy way of eating."
To take part in the study phone the clinic on 3138 0999.
Media contact: Niki Widdowson, QUT media, 07 3138 2999 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au
