young male who's over eating!

LegacyUser

Hi! I am an 18 year old male with a problem with food. I am just so lonely.
Tody so far I ate:
a large breakfast roll,
2 panncakes,
3 slices of toast,
a can of red bull.
Then for lunch I had
A chicken brest
a burger,
a big plate of chips,
a packet of crisps,
a bottle of coke
then I also had snacks during the day
I still have to have my dinner as well.
THis will be a big meal for me as well.
I know I'm eating alot but I can't help it.
Food is my best friend.
I am getting really sick of my life though now. I hate my life so much. I was sexual abused when I was younger so this might have caused the problem.
My BMI at the moment is 24.5. So it's not to bad.
What should I do I don't know for to give up food.
Any advice?

cats.life

well maleater,i think you should seek councilling, you cant get better on your own. i no what you mean about food your being your friend, but really it is not, its making you feel bad about your weight,im huge over 20st, i cant lose it . i just dont have the motivation . you have more problems than me , you need to sort out your life before you can stop big eating cos you will feel a whole lot better.

InReality

Well you know your eating a lot as an emotional support. Being aware of that is a big help.
I'd try taking up weight-lifting , and start/keep seeing someone about your past abuse.

Nevyn

www.bodywhys.ie

http://www.bodywhys.ie/aboutED/binge-eating-disorder/

What Is Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge Eating Disorder or Compulsive Overeating is characterised by periods of compulsive binge eating or overeating. There is no purging (getting rid of the food) but there may be sporadic fasts or repeated diets. Weight may vary from normal to significantly overweight.

In an eating disorder, food is not used to nourish the body. It is used to take care of emotional needs. Eating to meet psychological needs in this way is often referred to as emotional eating. Binge eating disorder is a form of emotional eating in which overeating has become a way of coping. A person with binge eating disorder becomes caught up in a vicious cycle of bingeing and dieting or restricting their food intake.
Characteristics

People with binge eating problems often experience some of the following:

* Eating is out of control.
* Eating much more quickly than usual during binges.
* Eating until uncomfortably full.
* Eating large amounts of food, even when not hungry.
* Eating alone due to embarrassment about the amount eaten.
* Feelings of disgust, guilt, self loathing and shame after overeating.
* Depression and anxiety.

What Causes Binge Eating Disorder?

The causes of binge eating disorder (BED) are still unclear. As with other eating disorders, many factors (biological, psychological, familial and socio-cultural) combine together to contribute to the development of the disorder. Many people with BED also experience depression from time to time. Whether depression causes BED, or whether BED causes depression is not known. Many people say that being angry, sad, anxious or worried can cause them to binge eat. Low self esteem and dieting are seen as significant risk factors.

The relationship between dieting and binge eating is complex. Many people with BED report that they had episodes of bingeing before they started to diet. However, once a cycle of bingeing and dieting is established, it is the dieting that maintains and perpetuates the urge to binge.

Binge eating disorder is almost as common among men as it is among women. It is thought to affect up to 4% of the general population.
Complications Of Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating puts a lot of stress on the digestive processes and on the metabolism which can become chaotic. Digestive problems such as bloating, stomach cramps, constipation or diarrhoea can be experienced. Disordered eating patterns can also affect the body's capacity to absorb the nutrients it needs for healthy functioning and can have a significant effect on energy levels.

The medical complications associated with binge eating disorder tend to be the same as those associated with obesity:

* High blood pressure
* High cholesterol levels
* Heart disease
* Diabetes
* Gallbladder disease

Depression and anxiety can become severe and may require specialist intervention.
How To Get Help

People with BED often try to control it on their own. More often than not, they will need the help and support of a healthcare professional. Consultation with a General Practitioner is an important first step towards self-care. The GP will look at the physical effects of binge eating and, if necessary, can make a referral to a dietician or to a psychologist or therapist. There are several different ways to treat a person with BED. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps a person to examine their thoughts and belief systems and to understand how these are linked to their feelings and behaviours. This can help a person to work out what changes they need to make in order to be able to break free of the compulsive patterns that are keeping them trapped in the disorder. Individual psychotherapy tends to concentrate more on a person's way of relating to themselves, to others and on how a person copes with the challenges of life. It aims to help a person to identify problem areas and work through them at a pace that they find tolerable.

Some addiction treatment centres offer programmes for people with binge eating disorder.

In general, people respond well to treatment and can overcome binge eating. Having access to support along the journey to recovery is important.

Some weight management clinics also offer programmes. However, alongside management of lifestyle and diet, it is important that any underlying psychological issues are also addressed.

The building of self esteem and the nurturing of self acceptance is an essential part of recovery.

Many people find that attending a support group can make a huge difference. Attendance at a support group is often an integral part of after care programmes. Support groups can provide much needed encouragement and understanding especially when a person is having a relapse and at other difficult times during recovery.

There are many self help books available which can be used on their own or under the guidance of a therapist and/or nutritionist. The Bodywhys booklet "Binge eating - Breaking the Cycle: a self help guide towards recovery" is aimed at anyone looking to find out about binge eating and how to take back control. It suggests practical steps that can be taken to facilitate sustainable, healthful change.

Some online self help programmes offer suggestions and strategies to help with managing feelings and behaviour and to support a person during periods of relapse (see website list below for examples).
Suggested Reading



* Binge Eating - Breaking the Cycle: a self help guide towards recovery, 2006. Available from Bodywhys.
* Overcoming Binge Eating, Fairburn C.G., The Guilford Press, 1995.
* Getting Better Bite by Bite, Treasure J. and Schmidt U., Psychology Press, 1996.
* Eating Your Heart Out, Buckroyd J., Optima, 1994.
* Overcoming Overeating, Hirschman J.R. and Munter C., Cedar, 1996.
* Breaking Free from Compulsive Eating, Roth G., Signet, 1986.
* The Forbidden Body, Bovey, Pandora, 1994.
* Depression and the Way out of your Prison, Rowe, Routledge, 1986.
* Stress and Relaxation, Self-help Techniques for Everyone, Madders, Optima, 1993.
* The Successful Self, Rowe, Harper Collins, 1996.
* (Specifically for men) Making Weight: Men's Conflicts with Food, Weight, Shape and Appearance, Anderson A., Cohn L. and Holbrook T., Gurze, 2000
* Binge/Compulsive eating workbook for Kids and Teens, downloadable from www.growthcentral.com


Useful Websites

www.myselfhelp.com - offers information and self help programmes for binge eating, bulimia, depression and other aspects of mental health

www.aweighout.com - Offers information on emotional eating and self help programmes to overcome compulsive patterns and build self esteem and resilience

www.aso.org.uk - Website of the Association for the Study of Obesity: many helpful links and covers a wide range of related topics.

www.obsessiveeatersanonymous.org - Website of Obsessive Eaters Anonymous: displays information about support group meetings. Tel. 01 2891599
For Support Around Depression

www.aware.ie - AWARE: Tel. 1890 303302

www.theblackdog.net - Specifically for men.

Further information can be found in the books listed on our Booklist and from other websites for eating disorders and related issues on our Website list or contact the Bodywhys Helpline: lo call 1890 200 444

bestiaries

you know what? I think you need to stop being so hard on yourself, honest would you judge everyone else so harshly? you've nothing to feel guilty for. nothing.

& if you hate your life do little things to change it, or just rip away all the bad things at once.you're only eighteen, a lot can happen over the summer, just keep thinking about what you want out of your future, not the things that scare/stress you.

Fook motivation, what you need is a big distraction.Do you have a dog? a dog can be your best friend and is always happy... can you walk it places? if not do you have anything you like to do that's going to get you out of doors? I know myself I go a bit stir crazy if I am stuck inside for long, you need a release, from someplace that isn't food.
a clean break with food, can you do that? ...eat plain. and not think about it.

Do you like to read? If I feel ****ty and can't stop thinking I find cracking open a book helps.

BumbleB

maleeating wrote: »

Hi! I am an 18 year old male with a problem with food. I am just so lonely.
Tody so far I ate:
a large breakfast roll,
2 panncakes,
3 slices of toast,
a can of red bull.
Then for lunch I had
A chicken brest
a burger,
a big plate of chips,
a packet of crisps,
a bottle of coke
then I also had snacks during the day
I still have to have my dinner as well.
THis will be a big meal for me as well.
I know I'm eating alot but I can't help it.
Food is my best friend.
I am getting really sick of my life though now. I hate my life so much. I was sexual abused when I was younger so this might have caused the problem.
My BMI at the moment is 24.5. So it's not to bad.
What should I do I don't know for to give up food.
Any advice?

Thats only a quarter of what I eat everyday.

Kimia

BumbleB wrote: »

Thats only a quarter of what I eat everyday.

That's not really helpful BumbleB, obviously what the OP is eating is absolute crap, junk food and just because you may eat the same doesn't mean that it's ok. OP for a start, try tracking what you eat everyday. It'll probably make you realise how you need to make a change. There's loads of books out there too if you're not ready to see a counseller. Best of luck.

redout

Try and start with eating smaller portions if you find it difficult to give up what you are currently eating.

Perhaps go and see your GP as that calorie intake is massive - there could be a psychological issue.

If you were to keep that up it wouldnt take very long to get yourself in a very unhealthy position.

Try going for a walk or if you rather staying inside then get yourself an excercise bike or even better a treadmill that you can position in front of the tv or stick your music on.

At least that way you can keep yourself active by walking on the treadmill daily and it is something that will keep you occupied.

Try not to buy so much when you do your weekly shop - if it aint readily available in the house then you are probably less inclined to go out and have buy it everytime your craving.

Emme

maleeating wrote: »

Hi! I am an 18 year old male with a problem with food. I am just so lonely.
Tody so far I ate:
a large breakfast roll,
2 panncakes,
3 slices of toast,
a can of red bull.
Then for lunch I had
A chicken brest
a burger,
a big plate of chips,
a packet of crisps,
a bottle of coke
then I also had snacks during the day
I still have to have my dinner as well.
THis will be a big meal for me as well.
I know I'm eating alot but I can't help it.
Food is my best friend.
I am getting really sick of my life though now. I hate my life so much. I was sexual abused when I was younger so this might have caused the problem.
My BMI at the moment is 24.5. So it's not to bad.
What should I do I don't know for to give up food.
Any advice?

You're not dramatically overeating but you're eating the wrong foods. You need nutritional advice and as somebody else suggested counselling for your overeating.

Do you take any exercise at all? If not either join a gym or a local GAA/football club and get fit.

redout

Emme wrote: »

You're not dramatically overeating but you're eating the wrong foods.

I wouldnt agree with that.

The combined total of that list would easily exceed the recommended 2,500 calories a day for an average man.

Emme

redout wrote: »

I wouldnt agree with that.

The combined total of that list would easily exceed the recommended 2,500 calories a day for an average man.

He's 18 and his calorific requirement is probably around 3,000 depending on his height and level of physical activity. It might be higher if he was playing a lot of sport or had a physical labour based job. TBH it sounds like a builders diet only the OP is eating a bit more. If his BMI is 24.5 he can't be overeating that much but he'd definitely want to get professional advice to address the physical and emotional aspects of his eating now.