overeaters anonymous

LegacyUser

after a lot of consideration, i think that i suffer from an eaing disorder- overeating. so i have decided to get some help. i googled OA and got up some interesting websites with locations of meetings (i think the meetings would really help me)- thing is a lot of them seem to be in church halls, etc and their 12 step programme talks of god and a higher power, etc. i was just wondering if anyone has any experience with these meetings- what are they like, are they religous, etc

any advice would be appreciated

LegacyUser

There is a place in Marino that treats eating disorders.
Have a look at this here.
http://www.marinotherapycentre.com/contactus.html

I suppose that will only help you if you are in Dublin (but they have a helpline too i think).
I have heard great things about this place, they treat the disorder and believe in doing so without the assistance of medication. (This is to the best of my knowledge).

They also have a very high recovery rate.
Best of luck, you have taken the first step to recovery in admitting that you need help.
Take care.

BeardyGit

ur1234 wrote:

after a lot of consideration, i think that i suffer from an eaing disorder- overeating. so i have decided to get some help. i googled OA and got up some interesting websites with locations of meetings (i think the meetings would really help me)- thing is a lot of them seem to be in church halls, etc and their 12 step programme talks of god and a higher power, etc. i was just wondering if anyone has any experience with these meetings- what are they like, are they religous, etc

any advice would be appreciated

Just had a look.

To my mind, it's a waste of time looking towards church/faith based help groups unless you can buy into everything they're selling.....

I'd recommend you get in touch with Bodywhys first. They'll steer you in the right direction....

http://www.bodywhys.ie/

Imposter

I'd recommend you read the fitness forum here unless a medical doctor has diagnosed you as having a medical problem and if that is the case I would follow the doctors advice.

LegacyUser

has a doctor diagnosed me- no. i suppose i have self diagnosed. but i do believe i have a problem. deep down i have always struggled with food, not just my weight but actually eating. after looking up the internet i decided that i displayed 90% of the symtomns ie i eat in secret, i plan ahead to eat in secret, i eat properly in front of people to disguise my problem, i binge eat, i feel guilty afterwards and so on. and why havent i gone to the doctor because it is embarassing and i dont want to. i thought i was doing weel by admitting to myself that i have a problem and actively seeking help. i know that i eat for comfort and i acknowledge that my attitude and actions have to change.

i regularly read and post in the fitness forum, i know what i am supposed to eat- 6 small meals a day plenty of protein and good fats, etc. i regularly go to the gym usually 4 times a week and despite all this i still have a problem and thats why i wanted to go to the meetings, I AM NOT JUST A FAT GIRL WITH A WEIGHT PROBLEM AND I RESENT THAT ASSUMPTION.

thanks to Gil_Dub and Marinohelp for the links, unfortunately i am not in dublin but i have looked at their websites so hopefully i will get some help from that.

does anyone know of ordinary meeting for OA that dont involve discussions of god and a higher power, i just want a normal meeting.

Fey!

To be fair to those who have responded to the OP, I don't think that anyone assumed that you were a "fat girl with a weight problem".

I also don't think that diagnosing yourself from the internet is the most helpful or healthy thing you can do.

Personally, I think that you should talk to a GP and get their advice. If you don't want to talk to your family doctor - a lot of people find it difficult to discuss things with people who've known them a long time - then go to someone new.

Good luck.

boffin

Agree with Fey above...

Have you looked up the website for overeaters anonoymous - just looked it up - they have a search tool to find meetings that are near to where you live. BTW it also says on the website that they are not a religious organisation but into spirtuality.

doctor evil

I think OP`s last post was more aimed at Imposter, if she does have a disorder than why would going to the Fitness Forum help?.

Imposter

Sorry I didn't mean to imply what you took from my post but if you do read the fitness forum then you are probably quite aware that most people are completely ignorant of good diet and nutrition. Imo that (or a doctor) is the first place to start with such a problem.

I'm not sure i'd agree with self diagnosing something like an eating disorder either. Most problems people have where they want to see a doctor are embarrassing but the Doctor will have seen it before and that is their job.

louisecm

As has been said here before, 12 step programmes are not about God or religion as such, its just about believing in a higher power. That can be Jesus, or Buddah, but it can also just be the strength of the group when it comes together. Don't write something like that off just because you are not religious. I have seen people who are not religious at all succeed in 12 step groups without ever becoming religious!

tbh

look - don't self-medicate or self-diagnose. Go to the doctors to rule out any underlying physiological problem like an underactive thyroid, and get advice from them first. Seriously.

Marksie

tbh wrote:

look - don't self-medicate or self-diagnose. Go to the doctors to rule out any underlying physiological problem like an underactive thyroid, and get advice from them first. Seriously.

That is the best advice OP

Kell

ur1234 wrote:

i eat in secret, i plan ahead to eat in secret, i eat properly in front of people to disguise my problem, i binge eat, i feel guilty afterwards and so on.

Um- correct me if I am wrong, but are these not issues of a troubled mind rather than just be an eating disorder? Can you tell me why you feel the need to eat in secret?

K-

ali.c

Bodywhys wrote:

Binge Eating Disorder (sometimes referred to as Compulsive Overeating) involves repeated episodes of bingeing but without purging. Over time, binge eating disorder (BED) can result in significant weight gain, though this is not always the case. A person experiencing BED finds themselves locked into a lonely cycle of dieting, bingeing, self recrimination and self loathing. Unlike anorexia and bulimia, binge-eating disorder is thought to be almost as common among men as it is among women. It is believed that the number of people who binge-eat far exceeds the number who present for treatment.

Right so if you feeling too embarassed to go to a doctor*, why not give the bodywhys helpline a ring. Where you can talk to someone in confidence about your issues surrounding food. The organisation has a lot of resources and information so at the least if you need any form of treatment or support they can point you in the direction of the right type of services. LoCall 1890 200 444, and the help line hours are

Mondays 07:30pm - 09:30pm
Tuesdays 12:30pm - 02:30pm
Wednesdays 07:30pm - 09:30pm
Thursdays 10:00am - 12:00pm
Fridays 12:30pm - 02:30pm

*Personally i am not sure how good a doctor would be at this type of thing. Its not there main area of expertise and at least by contacting bodywhys you are talking to an organisation specifically dealing with eating issues. Good luck with it anyhow!!

Marksie

Kell wrote:

Um- correct me if I am wrong, but are these not issues of a troubled mind rather than just be an eating disorder? Can you tell me why you feel the need to eat in secret?

K-

I am not saying that it is so in this case kell, but sometimes it is part and parcel of it. The disorder and the mindstate

I had an ex who did that. The first i knew about it was when i followed a stange odour. In a wardrobe was a large makeup bag and inside that was a tesco bag full of vomit. It is amazing the lengths that people go to to hide this... even to the extent of hiding the packaging so the bin would not look too full.

Thats why OP: Got to your doctor and get proper medical advice and help.
Edit: or as ali.c suggests.

LegacyUser

'

Kell wrote:

Um- correct me if I am wrong, but are these not issues of a troubled mind rather than just be an eating disorder? Can you tell me why you feel the need to eat in secret?

K-

No, any unhealthy relationship with food, be it undereat, overeat, eat & purge etc. is classed as an 'eating disorder'.
The reasons people have an unhealthy relationship with food is another matter. This does stem for much deeper issues.
I believe if the OP had said that she underate she would be classed as anorexic and accepted as having an 'eating disorder' rather than just a 'troubled mind'.
I don't think it's anything to do with thyroid glands either. It's obviously not a physical issue. The OP has said she eats in secret, makes plans to eat etc, so this has nothing to do with an underactive thyroid.

OP you will need to see a GP because it could be having an effect on her physical well being also. If you don't want to say it to your doctor (but you really should because they have seen this loads of times before)then ring Bodywhys or Marino Clinic and they can help you deal with the underlying issue and point you in the right direction.

The effect of any eating disorder on a person physically and mentally can be exhausting and all time consuming so try and get help soon so you can beign the road to recovery, whichever place you choose to give you help.'

Kell

beenthere wrote:

The reasons people have an unhealthy relationship with food is another matter. This does stem for much deeper issues.

Thanks for repeating what I hinted at. Much appreciated.

K-

ali.c

Honestly i think that if the OP said she had a problem with any other substance other than food they would be told fair-play for admitting she had a problem and looking for help in overcoming that problem. Part of the problem IMO is getting the support of other people (including professionals). The first step in overcoming issues with food is admitting you have a problem so well done OP the next step is getting the support of professionals and people in your life with dealing with it. Good Luck!!

LegacyUser

thnanks for the replies. it has taken me a long time to admit to myself that i have a problem. i will ring the helpline and see what they say but i think i might also try one of the meetings just to see what they are like- perhaps hearing other peoples stories will help me.

i dont think i could speak to my doctor about it well at least not yet. i realise that is part psychological but i dont have any other medical condition like thyroid problems, for me its about comfort eating and i have been doing some research myself and realise that i eat when i am in specific moods and i need to replace food with something else when i am in these moods, but its hard because i have been doing this for many years and its hard to break the cycle

anyways i shall get help

thanks again for the replies

WindSock

Have you considered Weight Watchers? I know they don't offer any solutions to any psychological problems a person may have attached to food, but you said you would like to go to non religious meetings and there would be plenty of like minded people there ready to offer and recieve support.

Crumble Froo

marinohelp wrote:

There is a place in Marino that treats eating disorders.
Have a look at this here.
http://www.marinotherapycentre.com/contactus.html

I suppose that will only help you if you are in Dublin (but they have a helpline too i think).
I have heard great things about this place, they treat the disorder and believe in doing so without the assistance of medication. (This is to the best of my knowledge).

They also have a very high recovery rate.
Best of luck, you have taken the first step to recovery in admitting that you need help.
Take care.

i highly recommend.

jaggeh

marinohelp wrote:

There is a place in Marino that treats eating disorders.
Have a look at this here.
http://www.marinotherapycentre.com/contactus.html

I suppose that will only help you if you are in Dublin (but they have a helpline too i think).
I have heard great things about this place, they treat the disorder and believe in doing so without the assistance of medication. (This is to the best of my knowledge).

They also have a very high recovery rate.
Best of luck, you have taken the first step to recovery in admitting that you need help.
Take care.

i second this, my girlfriends parents run the center and ive met most of the people who work there and they are all really nice friendly people.
http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Marie-Campion/dp/0862785626/ref=sr_1_1/104-0486273-2179169?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180187922&sr=8-1

Izzyone

OP realy wish I could PM you so will you send me a pm and I can reply to you...I may have information that would be helpful to you.

LegacyUser

'Going through exactly the same myself, very interested to hear how you have got on so far.

It is not admitting that you have a problem, so well done for that.'

seahorse

ur1234 wrote:

I AM NOT JUST A FAT GIRL WITH A WEIGHT PROBLEM AND I RESENT THAT ASSUMPTION.

Hi OP; I think most people wouldnt make the above assumption, based on what you've said here:

ur1234 wrote:

..i plan ahead to eat in secret, i eat properly in front of people to disguise my problem, i binge eat, i feel guilty afterwards and so on.

I'm not any kind of doctor but I don’t think it'd take Sigmund Freud to figure out you are struggling with a distorted and damaging relationship towards food. I was involved in a twelve step programme myself, and really, I can assure you, for lots of people, God has very little to do with it. The belief is simply in a power outside of yourself. You can translate that power to mean the supportive strength of the group itself, as another poster pointed out, and in my experience some people did translate the meaning in that way. Nobody looked down on them, or even brought up the issue of their interpretation of the meaning; that's a persons own business and it's not considered a topic for debate, so don’t let that stop you.

NA did me a lot of good; I'd recommend a twelve-step programme to anyone struggling with compulsions beyond their personal control. Good luck to you.

LegacyUser

Hi - I've been an compulsive overeater/anorexic/bulimic all my life and came into recovery in OA 3 years ago and haven't looked back. I tried everything else and nothing ever worked. If you think you may have a problem with food get yourself to a meeting - they recommend you go to six meetings before you decide if OA is for you. I couldn't recommend it more highly. You don't need to believe in God so don't let that put you off. It's an amazing fellowship - today I am a recovering food-addict and very grateful. Judging by what you said you are a compulsive overeater - we can always recgnise one of our own. Best of luck - if you go to OA you will be amazed before you are half-way through.

LegacyUser

u dont have to be religious... the twelve steps only talks about higher power, it doesnt say god, so the higher power can be anything u like, god, mohammed or fairies...

really though...even if u dont come up with the idea that theres anything out there of any kind, u dont have to bother about the twelve steps u can just go along anyway and still benefit from the support, the friends u make, and the stories u hear....

Hi its Me

ur1234 wrote: »

after a lot of consideration, i think that i suffer from an eaing disorder- overeating. so i have decided to get some help. i googled OA and got up some interesting websites with locations of meetings (i think the meetings would really help me)- thing is a lot of them seem to be in church halls, etc and their 12 step programme talks of god and a higher power, etc. i was just wondering if anyone has any experience with these meetings- what are they like, are they religous, etc

any advice would be appreciated

Sometimes the members in these type of meetings may talk about their personal feelings about God. But you do not have to have a belief in God to participate, some people choose to use the group collective as a higher power. Hope this helps and good luck!:)

Hi its Me

Any one who does not have the problem will not understand.
Talk to pple who do understand, if a meeting doesn't suit you look for one that does.
Or start one yourself,

Grawns

I just wanted to wish the OP the best of luck and congratulate her on her bravery. Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.