Binging - Eating Disorder Recovery Message Board

lissa81 · 10-28-2001, 12:18 PM

What exactly is a binge? Is it the number of calories you consume within a small period of time? Or, say, if you eat 100-200 calories or so and feel the need to purge because of it--is that a binge?

Ashlee · 10-28-2001, 06:13 PM

Sorry, I can't help you there. I've never binged, maybe that's why I can't seem to throw up. As far as I know, it's when you eat a very large quantity of food at one time, it doesn't matter what kind, and quite often is followed by throwing up. But that's just my opinion, I don't really know for sure.
Ashlee

fiona · 10-28-2001, 06:39 PM

A binge is when you eat and feel out of control. the quantity of food differs from person to person, there's no real set number of calories. Generally, binges are when large amounts of food are consumed, but not always. I've heard of 200 calorie binges, and I've heard of 15 000 calorie binges. Binges aren't always followed by purging, though. I think purging is a separate thing that just happens to usually follow a binge. And remember that purging isn't just throwing up - it's also abusing laxatives and/or over-exercising. I hope this has helped a bit with answering your question, and please anyone correct me if I am wrong!

Fiona

CloudyDaze · 10-28-2001, 07:46 PM

Yeah, Fiona's right. Technically any amount of calories is a binge if it really freaks you out and you have to purge. Mine are usually about 3000 calories, though. Anyway, don't even get started throwing up/using laxs/etc. because it will just add one more complication to your life.

Plus, I personally think that it's even worse for your body than anorexia, as long as your arn't extremely skinny. Lately my chest hurts some, like in the spot of my heart, so that's kind of freaked me out some and I've layed off the binging/purging.

I don't ever do it more than once a day (hardly) and I've heard of some folks who do it up to 30 times a day. It takes over your life more than anorexia even does. It's easier to recover from anorexia in my opinion too (as someone who's had both). Just take it one day at a time and you will get through this!

lissa81 · 10-29-2001, 02:20 PM

Thanks, everyone, for answering. I knew I binged a little, but usually only 500 calories or so, and I wasn't sure if that qualified. Then I take laxatives. I've tried vomiting, but I don't have the willpower. Those dumb laxatives make my stomach hurt so much, but I take them anyway... How do you stop?