Answer: Almost never
It might seem odd that one of the most common presentations for my geographical patch is rarely - if ever - about the surface presentation - weigh control.
Food, as with other things we can consume - drink, drugs - is often one of the very first things inlife we can hook onto to help us sooth ourselves. This 'pairing' with food might happen at an extremely early age, just as likely that food intake control can often manifest in early teens.
Food intake - whether its is too much or too little, whether its pushed out of the system with laxative, excessive exercise or simply vomiting is not about the food. It usually about trying to get some kind of control when the client feels deeply 'out-of-control'.
Try this, ask yourself:
1. How was I feeling just before the binge/denial?
2. What is the 'I am....' phrase that fits with the behaviour - it might be 'Im out of control', 'Ican't trust myself'...
3. Is there a sense of 'now Ive broken my promise to myself I may as well GO FOR IT!', meaning eat the whole packet or skip the entire day.....
Food issues can be tricky, consult a registered and experienced therapist for help dealing with them.