Binge Eating Disorder

LegacyUser

I think I have a binge eating disorder. I'm 25, a female, weigh 17 stone and have a love hate relationship with food. I have read the signs of BED and it sounds like me. I stuff my face in one sitting when no one is around, I hate eating in front of people because I feel they're always staring or gonna laugh or judge me. I feel stuck in a ditch that I can't get out of. I desperately want to lose weight and find a better relationship with food but any diet/lifestyle change I fail. I've tried so many times, every morning I think "this is the day" but it isn't. I don't know what else to do.

I talked about my relationship with food with my therapist before but it was only brief and I'm embarrassed. It's like a secret that I've been keeping for my whole life - that I eat/binge in secret - and I don't want to let it out.

I feel like there's a wall or something that is preventing me from over coming it. But I need to lose weight. I have a daughter now and I really want her to have a good self image and a healthy diet. Any advice?

Tokyo

Hi OP,

I'm approving this thread on the grounds that it doesn't delve into posters giving medical advice.

At risk of pointing out the obvious, you are very much self diagnosing right now, where you really need to set aside your embarrassment and talk more to your therapist about this, after all, that's what he/she is there for. You seem to think yourself that there are underlying issues that you need to deal with with regards to your eating habits, and with the best will in the world, dietary advice isn't really going to work I think unless you address those first. Talk to your therapist about it - if it makes it any easier, print up what you posted here and say that to them, and see if they are able to help you moving forwards.

I wish you the best of luck with this, OP.

Matteroffact

If you could just get started on a healthy diet you would do well. The reason you are binging is because you feel you are failing at losing weight and this failure is the very thing that makes you eat more and more........FAILURE BREEDS FAILURE. If you sign up with Weight Watchers, and decide that you are going to stick with it just for one day, that feeling of confidence you get from just doing the right thing for one day will escalate and then you will be able to do it for 2 days, 3 days, etc. until you have done it for a week, a month. SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS and I wish you the best of luck. My advice is GET STARTED.

bee06

OP, eating disorders can be a symptom of other issues which you are using food to deal with. Talk to your therapist.

greenfrogs

How about speaking about it to your doctor. I know from past experience that I went to a counsellor privately. While she was good I don't think she was able to help me in the way I needed it. I am now getting a different kind of therapy via the HSE mental services which I was referred to through my doctor. It is making a huge difference to my life.
Or like another poster mentioned show your therapist this thread. For me I binge eat too at times and I have found it has improved with the therapy as I am in a better place and not relying on food to make me feel better.

LegacyUser

Hi OP. I suffer with BED and I come from a long background of anorexia and other eating disorders. It is my personal view upon reading your post that things would get a lot better for you if you could bring yourself to open up to a therapist about it. That's the gateway to receiving the proper advice you need. I know you're ashamed, but look it's just one person you have to tell. The fact that you posted this thread shows how much it's bothering you. You don't have to live like this - get help! I used to be very ashamed of my eating disorder, like yourself, but for some reason there came a point in my life where I started being more open and honest with people and that has made such a big difference. I posted a thread about my problems about two months ago and I got some great advice and support: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057286802

LegacyUser

OP Binge eating is a form of eating disorder and a person normally engages in this form of behaviour because they are supressing their feelings and emotions. Are you happy with other aspects of your life? Can you pinpoint why you do this? Is it to block out emotions?

I don't agree with the post above about just going on a diet, this is not a simple solution for people with a poor relationship with food or more importantly an ED. I know this because I was a binge eater for years and went and tried weight watchers when I finally had enough of being fat and ended up being kicked out for losing too much weight and with a very severe eating disorder including anorexia and bulimia which took years and years of therapy to try get under control. If you feel like you have a poor relationship with food speak to your therapist or GP and ask advice. They will guide you. I think you might need to deal with the root of the problem first. Best of luck, its not an easy place to be in.