I use laxatives . . . a lot, I guess. I tell myself it's not too bad because I have heard of some people who use up to 50 a day. I usually use no more than ten.
My psychiatrist knows about it. He usually asks me if I binge and I tell him I don't. I don't eat a dozen donuts or a whole bag of chips. However, sometimes when no one is home, I will eat several different foods in a short time. Tonight in less than an hour I ate a bag of popcorn & poured on butter and a peanut butter sandwich with the peanut butter on really thick. I would never do this if anyone were watching. Is that what is called bingeing? The reason I am asking is because I see my psych next week and I know he will ask. What should I tell him?
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Gail

I think the fact that you eat foods that you normally wouldn't when "no one is home" is reason enough to call that a binge. I've had my experiences with bingeing, which were pretty similar...if I came home from school and no one was home, that was my cue to grab whatever I could find, force it down, and then throw up. The same as you, I would never eat that stuff or as much if other people were home to notice. I see that you aren't throwing up but using laxatives--that's still purging. If you think that what you're eating "in private" is more than what you would eat with others around or near, and you feel like what you eat at these times is "bad" or "too much" and that makes you use the laxatives, than I would say it's bingeing.

Just my opinion, hope I helped. Tell your psychiatrist about these habits--he can help you control these impulses and help you in your recovery.

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Feel Free to Respond!

Gail,
Everything Angeline said sounds true to me, but I would personally recomend that when you go to see your psychiatrist this week you tell him exactly what you wrote here. He is the expert, not us. It isn't your job to decide what qualifies as important enough for you to tell him. Anything that you have ANY concerns over is something you should be sharing with this professional.
I have been going to a psychologist for a little under a year now. At first I didn't really trust her and so very little was accomplished. But now I know that she is one of my greatest resources and I am doing much better.
My point is that if you really want to start feeling better you need to have trust in your doctor and then be completely open and honest with them. They are there to help!

Just my thoughts, hope they help . . .
Praline

Hon I agree with them; everyone binges differently and it doesn't have to mean a certain amount.

Just curious...what are the laxitives supposted to do for you...are you constipated?

Dear TrickyDick: When it comes to eating disorders and poor self image, laxatives are used for differing reasons. Some persons use it to feel "cleansed", some use it as another form or continuation of bulimia and many use it for purposes of weight loss, however all we do is rob ourselves of valued nutrients, scar our systems and set ourselves up for long term intestinal disorders in the future. In the instance of eating disorders, it has nothing to do with natural bowel functions.

Thank you kdb. I wasn't sure how to answer. Like you said, it really is different for everyone and I'm not sure exactly why I even started. All I know now is that I can't stop.

Gail

Gail: How awful of me! I forgot to respond to you the other day. I feel for you kid. I am now 48 yrs old and in my late teens and 20s, I had real problems with my self image. I began with anorexia....the doc threatened to hospitalize me so I "pleased" everyone by maintaining a weight "they" could live with by a combination of laxatives and vomiting. I only state this to let you know I'm not just another person out there with an opinion but no idea of what it is really like.
However, I pray you will find peace through your process and psychotherapy BUT YOU MUST COME CLEAN WITH YOUR THERAPIST. He/she cannot help you if you are not completely honest with him/her. I know how hard it is but your only hope is to build a trust level with him/her so they can truly help you with your issues.
PLEASE try to find someone you fully trust and can confide in. I say this because my years of "self abuse" have caused me to have 5-6 ulcers, an ulcerated esophagus, and inflammable bowel disease. I am paying big prices for my lack of self image.
God Bless and hang in there. It is not easy, but it can be overcome! KDB