Does anyone else have this eating disorder. For the last 6 months I have been suffering from this terrible eating disorder. I have put on almost 20 pounds and feel alone. Can anyone relate to me/ have this same problem? If so please respond to this. Maybe we can get through it together! Thank You!

I have the same problem. It's so hard to deal with but I can't stop. When I get stressed I just SNAP and binge. I too have gained weight 30 lbs and I'm trying to get control of my problem before I gain even more weight. The weight makes me depressed and withdrawn from everything. I have an appt to talk to a doctor about my problem. It just seems like such a LAME problem. No one understands. Anyone I tried to talk to (not many people) have said the same things----"Just stop eating" "You have to control yourself and portions" blah blah blah....like I don't know what a normal portion of food is. It's just nothing anyone has been able to understand. I'm hoping to get help and I will pass it on to you if I do.

I have had this problem for at least 8 months. I've gained about 35 lbs however I needed 10 of it because I was previously anorexic but I now need to lose 25 lbs. It is very hard to talk to people who have never had a problem with eating. Any advice or tips are welcomed. Thank you for the support I feel just by knowing there are people out there who relate.

I've been a binge eater for a while now and I hate it I really want to change and have a healthier lifestyle. The times I really binge is when I'm upset.So I hope you all will help me through this

HAPPY32 Come join us on the "Battling Binge Eating" on this forum. We're all gonna help each other!! :)

Does anyone else have this eating disorder. For the last 6 months I have been suffering from this terrible eating disorder. I have put on almost 20 pounds and feel alone. Can anyone relate to me/ have this same problem? If so please respond to this. Maybe we can get through it together! Thank You!
I binged lastnight. I do good during the day but around night time I start snacking and i don't stop until I'm sick to my stomach. I don't understand why this happens. I put on 20 lbs. and I don't feel good physically or mentally. It really fustrates me that I know it's wrong and yet i continue. I end up feeling so guilty the next day. Why do I damage myself like this? Why do I do this to myself?

Okay, this is a tricky situation, isn't it? You have all probably heard to:keep yourself busy, go for a walk in the evening or have a bath, make plans with people; just anything that doesn't or can't involve eating. Having a good, filling breakfast and lunch helps, too. Also, if possible, it helps to do your eating in front of other people: you can still have 10 cookies or a big bowl of icecream or whatever, but maybe not the whole bag, you know? At the very least we could start with a requirement like, "I have to eat my full servings of fruit, vegetables and protein, before I eat a bunch of crap" Going to counselling would be ideal. Most places have programs where you can go for free, or for a reduced rate, depending on your income. I know it sucks, its like quitting smoking. Seriously, exercising and having a goal, looking at your body and seeing the positive changes make you feel like eating only what you need, and realizing you are a wonderful, important person, who deserves to feel and look good. Good luck
Be strong

Same here everyone! If you come to the "Battling Binge Eating Disorder" thread we are all trying to help each other there. Please come by :)

I too have this disorder. Whenever I get upset, stressed, angry, or feel alone I will eat everything I can get my hands on. I do sometimes purge but there are also a lot of times that I just eat...until it hurts. Everything...especially carbs. I would eat triple what you listed in your list KJane and be amazed that my body could hold it all. I have gained about 20 pounds and I'm very very depressed. I recently hit bottom and finally just said "enough" I'm tired of doing this to myself and my body. My self-esteem is shot, I can't fit into any of my clothes, I don't want to see friends because I'm ashamed. Finally last Thursday (today is Tuesday) after 3 major B/P in one day I just broke down and cried. I called my Psych Dr. (whom I saw one time a few months ago and didn't go back), I called in my prescription of Prozac (which I took for about 3 weeks a few months ago and quit) and started taking that on Friday. I saw my doc yesterday. I have not had an episode since Thursday. Granted it's only been 5 days but I do feel stronger. It's like, as soon as I made up mind that I want to change this a ton of weight was lifted from my shoulders. I have been praying to God and asking him to give me strength because I know I can't beat this alone, but hopefully with the help of him, my doc and meds i can continue on this path. Trust me, I know the dispair and the heartache it causes. It's like living with demons constantly. You have a dirty secret all of the time. I am praying for you all. We can beat this!!!! I'm very optimistic today...I hope it stays this way.

I'm so glad you are getting help. The hardest thing about this problem is the shame. I don't feel like ANYONE can understand binging. I just get zoned out. Like I'm not even in my own body anymore. I'm so glad to have people to relate to. Thank you for listening and all the support that is given to me here. I've been praying for answers to why I abuse my body. The guilt is just too much sometimes. Keep in touch with your progress, pokiedot, I'll be checking up and hoping you continue to get better. Again---Thank you!

Yes we all going through this together guys! So let's help each other! I just want to let everyone know about my progress! I've been doing pretty good lately! I haven'y had any major binges in a while. I'm hoping that I'm overcoming this!! I feel so much better when I don't binge! I hope to stick with this!

I did it again. How can I stop. I don't even realize I'm doing it until the bag is empty. I ate a whole thing of cc cookie dough. That is just disgusting. How could I do that to my body. I'm just thinking of how gross that is. I feel sick. Times like this I wish I could just throw up but I can't do that. I'm so stressed out lately and I can't seem to find another way to use my energy. How do I stop? You all seem to atleast be HEADED for a better way of eating. I am abusing myself everyday and I hate it!!!! Please tell me how you can stop yourself. Anything that may help me. I'm so sad and SICK right now. I have 2 great kids and I'm a great mom. If you knew me, you'd never think I was so out of control. I can take care of anyone and do anything but I cant stop THIS!!!!! I'm so annoyed! I KNOW I'm a strong person who can take on anything-------why is this so hard for me??? I don't want to be this way. This is NOT the example I want to set for my children. Sorry to go on and on but I'm just so bummed out tonight. Does anyone know what causes these disorders? When I was really young we didn't have money and we really didn't have much food growing up. I always wonder if that has anything to do with it. Honestly, I'm pretty normal otherwise. But, What is "normal" anyway??!??

Hi Kjane!
Well I wrote in yestertday aboput how I was getting better.. well this morning I binged. I was home alone and for some reason just kept eating and could not stop!! I HATE This too. I put on like 22 pounds in th epast 6 months.. Ugh!!!!!! I hate this! I don't know how to stop it either. It's so weird. I guess I was alone and bored this morning so I saw the opportunity to eat the foods that I've been trying to stay away from. Luckily I was able to stop.. but not after eating like a 1000 calories. I hate this b/c now I have to watch everything I eat the rest of the day. I have a delicious wrap for lunch and I was looking forward to having it but now it's like I can barely eat anything b/c I ate already way too much! I wish I could just rid of this.... It's horrible and I feel horrible!!!! any inspiring words guys?

I don't know why we do this to ourselves. Why do I want to keep eating once that first morsel has entered my mouth even if it doesn't taste that great. I guess it's like any other addiction, you know the high is really not that great and that the low is REALLY low but you can't control that need or want or what is it? I am trying really hard. I so want to fit back into my clothes and lead a normal life not consumed (literally) by food! this is the hardest thing i've ever dealt with. I'm trying to follow a low-carb regimen hoping that once I'm off carbs for a while I won't have cravings. (That's what is supposed to happen anyway.) I am trying to keep myself busy and not give myself alone time. I am trying to switch jobs, which I think will make a big difference with me. So, I'm trying to move in a positive direction.
How are you guys doing?

I think the key here is to keep ourselves busy. I find that when I;m by myself alone is when I binge. It's like I sub-consciously feel like well no one is around so now I am allowed to eat.... and yet in front of people I am fine.. I won't eat that much etc.. how can we get through this guys?? Talking to you is definetly helping.. how can we help eachother more??

Hi Guys! Well I had 2 (what I consider) normal eating days. I just read all your recent posts cause I haven't been on for a few days and I have responses to ALL of your posts. First to Cutie14 -- I was reading your post about your recent binge and I cracked up (not at you) but at ME. You were saying that you ate like 1000 cals on that binge and you were bummed out cause you couldn't eat that nice "wrap sandwich" you had planned on eating........Well, I just realized how WARPED I am because I have this strange theory that whenever I eat a bunch of junk, that I can "somehow" CANCEL-OUT all the unhealthy stuff I ate if I eat something with some nutritional value. (Now remember, I am stuffed already at this point) God, I have some ISSUES! And to LittleLostSoul, I totally relate to hating doctors. My doctor told me to take a piece of bread off of every meal I eat.....Clearly he doesn't know about the TASTYKAKE BINGES! I'm like, the bread is HARDLY the problem. I was also relating to your mention of eating things you don't even LIKE. Me too!! I finally gain conciousness to find an empty bag of goldfish crackers that I ate in a TRANS. I hate those things!!!! They're what my kids eat. What am I doing??? It's NOT about "healthy choices" or "portion control" or "keeping busy" for me. It's like OCD or something. Thanks you guys for being there and listening.

I also hate that other people are going through this but thank god I'm not going through this alone. I'm on day 2 of "healthy" eating so I'm feeling ok right now. Little Lost Soul, welcome, this is a wonderful place to be if you need to be here! These people are wonderful! I know exactly what you're saying...you have traded one obbsession for another. I have been through so many phases of eating disorders...starving, binging, purging, "healthy" and exercising and back to square one. I also am at a "healthy" weight for my frame but not in my eyes. I'm not over weight but I feel like a cow. I've gotten so bad that I won't look in store windows if I can see my reflextion. I am so tired of it! I'm on track right now. I am trying to do low-carb since that is what I binge on and is a trigger for me. I was perfect yesterday and woke up with a headache! Withdrawals! And who says food is not a drug! I have to beat this. Just like you Little Lost, I am in a perfect relationship and I'm afraid that if I don't get myself under control I'm going to lose the best thing that ever happened to me. We've got to stick together. We're stronger than this thing! We're women!

Hey Guys!!!
Wow!! It is actually scary how exactly what you are all saying is how I feel!!!! I HATE ITTTTTT!!! I can't take this anymore.. I know what my problem is and I know exactly why I do it and the measures I should take to stop it.. But I just can't!!! I always have that diet mindset and that's what I should do away with b/c I feel like I'm restricting myself.. But I can't stop it.. I want to lose the 25 pounds I gained!!! Guys we need to think of something that can help us get over this!! Maybe e-mailing eachother or something?? I don't know!! But we have to get over this!!

I hate it. I'm 5' 6.75" and 170 pounds. I used to be 5'6" and 120. I had some bulimic and anorexic tendencies on and off for awhile, but when I'm not doing that, I constantly eat. I can't throw up anything either. It just doesn't come, no matter how many times I'm gagging. So I've stopped trying to throw up (I suppose that's good).
What I hate the most is that whenever my mom discovers how much of something(s) I've eaten (she just did this today), she tells me how fat and out of control I am. Then she tries to monitor me and what I eat and stuff. And it just makes me want to eat even more. I can just buy stuff at school if I want to. I hate it. I hate this whole thing. I love and hate food so much.
Kristina :wave:

Hi! I'm doing a little bit better. No major binge today. I wanted to ask pokiedot a question----You said you were doing low-carb to keep you from the binging. Do you find that works? Are you doing Atkins? How do you stay on it? That type of diet seems SOOOO hard to stay on. How is it going? Comming up to the computer at night really has been helping me. Also, I have been eating microwave light popcorn at night. I can have a lot but its not as bad for me as most of the crap I eat! I also have been drinking hot tea at night. I just don't understand why it's been such a challenge to fix this ONE thing that makes me so sad. I know if I lose some weight I'll feel so much better about myself and have so much more confidence and I'll be happier. I guess that is how everyone here feels.

KJane,
It has seemed to help me. When I binge I binge on carbs...cookies, cake, muffins, cereal, anything sweet or starchy. If I put one in my mouth I'll put it all in my mouth. I've found that if I don't eat it all I'm less likely to binge on it and it does keep you from getting cravings. I don't really follow atkins because I don't agree with all of the fat. i follow more of like a south beach diet plan. More lean meats and veggies. I mean think about it....you don't binge on turkey cold-cuts and steamed squash (which is what I just had for lunch) Let me know what you think!

It is so comforting to know that I am not alone....where can I find a solution to this though? I understand my behavior, I just can't change it.... I have a tendency to binge at night when everyone is asleep....I am perfect during the day, but at night..WATCH OUT! Also, if I consume a piece of dessert during the day (or anything else I have on "my list" as a no-no"...I am done for the day....I start bingeing. Then I ask myself..."Why couldn't I just eat the piece of cake"....? like everyone else....then get back to work?....

Does anyone know a good plan of attack?

I know what you mean, Momof2boys, I've tried the "everything in moderation" approach to having cake or whatever snacks I'm craving. I will finish every last crumb of whatever bag or box I open. I'm gonna give the South Beach Diet a try. It seems to stop the binge cycles for pokiedot. I have NOTHING to lose. I just hope I can stick to it long enough to see if it works. I'm sure I'm gonna have some sugar withdrawl effects. I'm pretty bad with the sweets. I'm the type of person who will get out of bed in the middle of the night to go buy a candybar. The cravings have a huge hold on me. I just borrowed the book and have been skimming through it. It seems to make perfect sense that the sugar is the trigger.

Hey kjane, let me know how it goes. So far so good with me still. It's hard the first like 48 hours but like today I've found that I'm hungry but I really don't have cravings, therefore I'm really going to eat for nourishment not emotions! It gives me a sense of control that I need. Keep me posted!

Wow!!! This is so hard. I had a good day but I must tell you that I probably didn't go 3 minutes without thinking about sweet carb-foods. I can't believe I did it!!!!! :) Well--I'm not asleep yet. I'll be reading posts all night. (Scared to go downstairs and pass by the fridge ;) ) I hope in a few days it gets easier. I really want to take care of my body. Thanks for the advice and support!

Hey Guys!
Well this past weekend I didn't do too well but since MOnday I have been pretty good. I'm not saying that I eat very small amounts of food but I have just been eating the way I used to eat before I started bingeing! You know I find.. whenever i try abnd commit myself to a "diet" I end up on a diet for 3 days and then binge so badly.. I'm trying a healthy eating approach.. Eating normal amounts of food.. still eating dessert etc when I want just not bingeing.. I used to eat this way.. Lots of fruit and veggies and I still do but I added a lot more junk food in.. But I've gotten beter the past couple of weeks.. I'm not completly cured of this but I feel better.. I don't binge as often and eat the way I used to.. I was actually able to stop myself from bingeing today :) But the only problem is that I want to lose those 20 pounds that I put on.. How can I get through this guys?

I would like to lose 30. I would be happy with a 20lb loss and a better attitude towards food, so that's my first goal. I think just having you guys to vent to has helped me so far. I would like to start exercising more regularly--like a routine but I've got to start eating better first. I tend to overwhelm myself with all the changes I'd like to make and then I just snap. All I want to do right now is stop using food as comfort or stress-relief. I hope you all are doing well.

I'm sure you will find many people suffering with a binge eating disorder. I have it. I eat, get fat, get depressed and eat more. I think one of the wonderful things about this site is that we are openly admitting that we need help. We need to be accountable to someone. Someone that depends upon our success. If you know someone on this board make them your partner and keep yourself accountable. When you feel weak, get in touch with them.

Hi Guys!
I was doing so well the past couple of days but of course I blew it again. I woke up this morning (not having school and no one home) I of course binged. I don't get it!!! I had a bowl of cereal which was fine and I went back to have a little more (which is fine) but instead of teh cereal I reached for the cake and from there it was hell.. I had normal size portions of a lot of things.. cake then a doughnut.. you see I could stop there and wanted to but I just kept going.. Ugh!!! I hate this!!! I want so badly to get control over the eating and gradually lose that yuck 20 pounds I put on...... How do we do this guys?? I want start exercising but have no time :( I've been busy lately with school so the binges have gotten less frequent but whenever I am alone and find myself with time I binge!!! how can we do this guys? The board is helping me a little bit but we need to find something better.. is there some way that we can all talk besides this board? b/c I feel like I post but then I have to wait for responses when I really need your support right then and there.. you know? Hope everyone is doing okay!! I feel yucky right now :(

KJane....how's it going? It's still working for me. I've figured out that I just can't have the carbs. It's like an alcoholic or drug addict, I can't have just one bite or one piece...I can't have it at all. I did have headaches and cravings the first couple of days but now I feel pretty strong. I know that I am still weak though and I'm going to have to work at not putting myself in situations that will allow me to slip. I am determined!

Hi Guys!!
That's IT!!! I am done with the bingeing. I just tried on an old pair of jeans and can barely fit into them!!! I am tired of all of this and am going to start eating helathy and lose those 20 pounds that I put on.. Everytime I look at all the wight I gained I feel like it's this Binge Eating Disorder laughing at me... i feel like it controls me.. Well NO MORE!!! Tomorrow is October 1st and a great time to start getting over this!! I will win this!! Who is with me?? What we can do is start a whole new thread this way we can rid ourselves of this negative energy under the name "Binge Eating Disorder" and start fresh. We can write in everyday telling eachother what we ate, exercise etc.. and we can support eachother as we OVERCOME this!! We will help eachother get through it all. Please come you guys! I want to put positive energy into it and I know that we can help eachother. Go to the thread "Staring Fresh". I am going to go start it!! :)

Good Idea! Starting a new thread is a great idea. We all kinda know eachother (as well as we could-anyway) I really want to try to be positive. I want to change my thinking and become a healthy eater. I know we will all have our slip-ups and we can be there for eachother. Lets try to search for tips and things that has helped us through difficult times. Maybe if we share what really depresses or stresses us we can even help eachother with better coping strategies. You guys are the only people who I can talk to who fully understand what I am going through. We need to figure out how to help eachother and improve our situation. Like for instance, Is anyone on any particular workout schedule? Can anyone give advice on how to rechannel negative thoughts that lead to binging into something positive? Has anyone read any books that have helped them to change in anyway? Lets be total support for eachother through the best and worst days.
It's been really hard for me. I cant talk to anyone!!!!! You know the responses you get-----It's just ignorance on their part--just a total lack of understanding the emotions and the lack of self-esteem that people with BED harbor.

I saw that there is a buddy list on this chat log. I'm not sure how it works but I put you all on my list for support. Feel free to add me to yours. If you ever need to vent or have a success story to share, I'd be happy to listen. Thanks to you all. We will overcome this. We deserve to be happy and treat our god given bodies with love and respect. (Wow, I hope this wasn't too deep for you all :)

Kjane

Also, I was wondering if anyone is on anykind of medication for this problem. (Or for depression related to the BED.) Has anyone had any success with any particular med? I am currently taking 10 mgs of Lexapro. I think it boosts my moods but It did cause me to gain 10-15lbs which isn't good-----The weight gain is a CAUSE of my sadness so I'm not sure if I will be continuing on it. I do feel better emotionally on the Lex but I'm not sure if the side effect is worth the boost in my mood. Just wondering if anyone else has gone that route to help deal with the sadness the cycle causes.
Peace and Health to you all! kjane

I have been a binge eater for almost 10 years now and I'm only 24. It has completely ruined my life regardless of what weight I was/am at and has destroyed every ounce of my self-esteem. The periods where I can control this monster are very short-lived compared to the almost constant times that it runs my life every minute of every day (literally). I'm sorry I can't offer a more optimistic view and some hope for you, but I'm also feeling very desperate at the moment and have no where to turn.

Have you ever tried to get help for this or have you always dealt with it on your own? Maybe you should consider seeing someone who has managed people with a similar problem. I honestly don't have time for that at this point in my life but have been promising myself over the past year or so that I would definitely get some outside help.

This is an extremely painful issue for me, as I'm sure is the case for most people struggling with it, since it has been such a huge part of me for such a long amount of time. I guess all we can do is keep hoping that it won't always be there and never give up on the idea of recovery. There are people who have done it.

Stigma--I feel your pain. I know exactly how you feel. This problem has controlled much more of my life. (I'm 33) It has such a strong hold over me that I am so sick of. I don't even know what it would be like to have good self-esteem. I've NEVER had it. I really know where you are mentally right now. It is so draining to think about food every second of every day---what I just ate, what I'll eat next, what I cant tomarrow bc of what I ate yesterday, etc. It is a big drain on my life and I've had it!!!!

I am really trying to change this time! If I don't do something, I'll be on this board 10 years from now saying the same things over and over again. I've tried to get help from my doctor (family) and I've tried to talk to P-docs. No one has helped me. I have had this problem for so long that I know exactly what the docs will say. I guess I, in a way, think I'm smarter than them. With computers, I can research ANYTHING! I know what the routine is. I know what they're trying to find out, and what questions they'll ask me. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. We're pro's at ruining our bodies and spirit! The only person who can help me is ME!

Go to the starting fresh thread. The best help I've ever had is from talking to friends like you, who know me without even meeting me. I hate to sound all sappy but we are all in the same boat.

Please check it out. I'd hate for you to go on for another 9 years and end up like me. I am going to change. I hope you will too.

For all of you sufferers, check out OA. It stands for Overeaters Anonymous and after about 11 years dealing with this disorder, I found a meeting and decided to attend. I was one well on my way to being one of those "hopeless" cases. Heck, I had been in therapy for years, and I had tried everything else to no avail... it would not matter if I failed at just one more. But surprisingly, I instead found a fellowship of people who have in fact found recovery from this disease and I have had a total of about 28 days of abstinence from compulsive eating. I couldnt even go 2 days without binging before the program. Their site is www.OA.org. Joining this program has proved so far to be possibly the most constructive thing I have ever done for both myself and my family, not to mention my spiritual and work life as well. I cant even begin to put into words what a life-saver this program is and what a release as well.