Binge eating disorder

Hey lake 26,

Thanks for sharing with us, you’ve come to the right place. You are a brave and smart person to be seeking help. It was wise of you to reach out to doctors, it takes a lot of strength to do that. I’m sorry that your doctors in the past weren’t of much help.

You sound like you are struggling with self esteem. You’ve been through a lot and you should be proud of yourself for coming this far. Here’s some tips on maintaining a healthy self esteem http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/maintaining-healthy-self-esteem .

Have you tried talking to a trusted friend or a school counselor? You may be surprised at how helpful and understanding they can be. You can try looking at this factsheet about the benefits of talking to someone http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/benefits-of-talking-to-someone and talking to someone outside the situation http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/talking-to-someone-outside-of-the-situation .I urge you to also talk to a counselor at Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800, an anonymous counseling service where you can talk about anything. Talking openly and honestly to a professional about what you are experiencing could ease the pain you are feeling and help you sort out your situation.

You are not alone in this. There are people out there who can and will help you and understand what you’re going through. Check out the forums at http://forums.reachout.com/ to receive support and advice and talk to people who are going through similar situations as you.

Remember – there are people out there who care! Talk to someone soon!

Thanks for sharing, Amyef

Hi Just found this site and in a way its comforting to know that I am not the only person in the world going through this.my binge eating began when I was 15..and now im 23.its had such am impact on my life.I just want to be normal and happy and have a normal relationship with food.food consumes my every thought it rules my life.i binge when im sad,lonely,bored im constantly on a diet I have n self confidence or self worth.i just want it to stop i feel i have no self control andim not strong enough to make it stop.there have been times it has been controlled..but moving here 5 months ago it has escalated out of control. I have now put on weight and my confidence has dropped further.I keep saying today is the day its going to stop..then i crck and binge go to bed with a bloated sore stomach despising myself and the cycle starts again..I am at the end of my tether and I just dont know what to do.sorry to moan or ramble i just started typing and didnt know when to stop. Iv been to the doctors both at home and in australia and didnt hae much luck.i dont really know what to do.an y help or suggestions will be greatly apreciated.thankyou.

Hey Mazza me! 

I think it's great that you've worked out that there's an issue and you're looking for ways to manage/change it. :)

Hi, I'm new to this site and could not believe all the people out there with this binge problem.  Your particular story matches the traits that I have.  I too am fit and healthy.  Not overweight nor underweight but just right.  Only problem is I have a very unhealthy relationship with food.  I too stick to a regime Monday to Friday and often let loose on the week end.  This week end is no different.  As I sit here typing this note, my stomach is busting.  Tomorrow morning I'll start again the way I always do.  One hour brisk walk and very healthy breakfast followed by at least an hour and a half of other exercises throughout the day.  Come Friday night, the party begins.  I am so tired of it.  I don't enjoy it and I don't feel good about myself.  I'm tired of people telling me how good I look and can't possibly have an eating disorder - I'm not fat! I feel my life completely revolves around my food consumption - that isn't normal.  I can't stop. I want to be slim, fit and healthy but have a real love affair with food.  Not junk food, but huge amounts of good food.  I can polish off kilo's of yoghurt, nuts, fresh and dried fruit and the like in no time at all.  As soon as the real bloating subsides, I'm there at the cupboard topping up again.  As you mentioned, on Sunday night I have to squeeze in as much as possible and sometimes even staying up late to be on my own so I can consume even more food.  I really do want to stop.  How can I be so much in control through the week and behave in such an uncontrolled manner on the week ends.  I'd love to know.  Even better, I'd love to find a way to change it.

I am 16, almost 17 and almost certain I have binge eating disorder.
From the start of my teenage years I have always had body concerns. I have never been extremely overweight but I have never been as skinny as I want.
Over the years I have been trying to loose weight and have tried a number of different diets. While I get motivated for a couple of weeks or even months I always seem to fall back on eating no matter how bad I am feeling about my body.
I know that this is a result of many built up feelings as I have been through many things in my life but I feel so powerless when it comes to trying to stop it.
I know that the best thing to do is speak to a doctor or adult but I am really embarassed, scared and ashamed to do so. I was wondering if there are any services available that don't require face to face treatment/discussions?
I feel like if I tell people close to me that I am suffering that I am disappointing them by being so weak and ridiculous. I just need to be pointed in the right direction! Thank you.

Hi Jewels82. 

Hey FoodBalloon,

You should be proud of yourself for coming here and reaching out--it's hard to share your story, and it can be the first step in getting help and recovering.

That voice in your mind telling you you're overweight can be deafening, even if by other people's standards, you're not. I suppose it's not about what other people think, anyway--it's about what you think, and sometimes, our thoughts have a way of being very damaging.

It sounds like you're having a really sucky time at the moment and unfortunately, there's probably no quick fix. But there ARE definitely things you can do. Can you talk to a GP? Sometimes they're able to recommend natural supplements to help with low mood instead of prescribing anti-depressants--you have that choice. They might also be able to recommend some other courses of action--it's really scary seeing a counsellor, and honestly, it's really easy to see yourself as being "crazy" because you have to see someone, and it's even harder to challenge those thoughts. But you can! And I know in my experience of eating issues, seeing a counsellor has helped to find some coping strategies and aid in finding other help that might be necessary. However, I understand that this isn't for everyone, and it's about finding out what works for you.

Have you checked out our forums? (http://forums.reachout.com) They're a nice distraction for when you feel compelled to eat, and might be able to keep your mind off it for a bit. Is there anyone else you can talk to about this and perhaps help you to regulate your food/stop you from bingeing? I suppose something that has helped me not to binge eat is to keep myself busy--go for a walk, play a video game, anything until the wave passes.

You can also ring Kids Helpline or look at eheadspace if you need some help--sometimes being able to talk to someone objective helps you see things more clearly. It's also more discreet if you're worried about stigma (which is an issue for lots of people!)

Take care of yourself, and feel free to come back anytime and touch base, or tell us how you're going, or to chat.

Jess

Hi all,

Hi Catty,

Trish, I totally agree with the GP's being hurtful, I went to see one about it a few months back and their advice was just don't eat so much. Um, yeah, great advice, I walked out of there in tears. I need help. Every single day for the last three years I have eaten over 3000 calories easily, I feel like I have no control over it. The only time I was skinny in the last 10 years was when I was saving for a holiday and didnt have a single cent to spare. I have put on nearly 30 kilos, and I am obese again. I have tried talking to professionals as well, but it didn't seem to help!

Does anyone have some advice?? This is the first place I have found that offers a glimmer of hope!!

Hey Stef26,

This is a thinker. I'm 26, a social worker, raised in a decent home (not perfect..no family is). I'm very expressive of my feelings and open about who I am and what I'm going through. I've struggled with overeating since I was about 17 or 18. No one would know by looking at me (not that I'm thin..but I'm not big either). I guess the reason I'm not that big is because I go through periods of eating like crap, sometimes for weeks, then periods of being on a health kick and going to the gym and eating healthy foods in healthy portions. I meet all the criteria for binge eating disorder...and it's definately humilating for me..makes me guilty, etc. I would like some thoughts on this: When society looks at a person who is big, there is often blame on the individual..."how did he/she let themselves get that big", "that person has no self-control", "that person must have so many issues they're eating themselves through"....has anyone ever thought that perhaps it's not an individual thought, but a structural problem..a problem with society and how we present food? Not only are there crazy body image issues out there by the media having skinnies and fashion mags/pressure on people to be thin..but the markets and food industry has changed so much over the last 50 or more years, that now there are rows and rows of complete fatty junk foods/drinks in every supermarket, fast foods on every corner..does anyone ever think..maybe it's not the persons fault for losing control...look at how much food is available to us. From an evolutionary perspective, we once had to hunt and gather for food and our body system probably aquired a desire for fat/sugar as an adaptation to a lack of food/need for food...now that there is food EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME, FULL OF FAT/SUGAR...can you blame us for losing control with it, really? I'm not sitting here saying that everyone (or myself for that matter) is issueless about binge eating..but I feel that if it weren't for the binge eating thing..I am a fairly well adjusted person and I try and figure out why I do this, why I subject myself to this guilt all the time. Any thoughts?

Hey Trish108, 

Hi everyone,

I can relate to everything others have said about their binge eating, and the shame and guilt that goes along with it which just leads another binge...and then the awful things people will say to you beause you are overweight which of course just leads to another binge to try to escape the pain for a bit.

I have to say that I have not found help when talking to doctors about binge eating and some of the most hurtful comments have come from doctors. I also don't agree that it is just like Bulimia without the purging.

I guess only another binge eater understands and it seems that treatment for this eating disorder is practically non-existent. Unless you are starving or purging then you don't fit the criteria for treatment for eating disorders.

If anyone does know of a place you can get treatment, please let the rest of us know - and I'm not talking about Jenny Craig and other dieting stuff.

I have found out that there is a 12 Step Program called Overeaters Anonymous and I am going to give that a go. I'm a bit worried because they talk about 'God' but apparently atheists go too and your 'God' or 'Higher Power' can be the program itself, or the group you attend or whatever you want it to be. I've read one of their books and it makes a lot of sense.

Anyhow it seems to be the only show in town so the next 'Step' lol, is to go and meet some other people face to face and see what happens.

Hi Bigman, 

i am a 39 yr old man and have been binge eating as long as i can remeber i weigh 155 kg and growing its got to the point where i spend money on food when im out and dont tell my wife then turn around and eat a big meal my wife has made then wait till she goes to bed and then raid the fridge for more food. in the mornong i would eat breakfast and then stop on the way to work and get macdonalds for my second break fast eat that and get to work and eat all the biscuits in the tin and it continues all day, i know what im doing but that doesnt matter i keep doing it . i do know i do this and has said i need help and i do need help but where to start for that help i dont know maybe my doctor . i am a bit depresed by my eating and have even thought about ways to stop it permenantly but they are only thoughts i need help badly i have a beautiful wife who is going to support me through this journey and i have to do something about it so i can live for her and my son. i need to save my own life.......

One of my big binge eating problems was boredom. When I get bored I would just start to eat. It started out slow, like getting a Slurpee or cone from McDonald's and evolved in to Supersized combos with desserts and other snacks on the side. It was horrible. I have been eliminating the boredom in my life and significantly cut down on my binge eating. 

Hi Shoo- tings,

I am so sorry that some of our comments have offended you.  We really were not trying to be condesending but are trying to help people realise how brave and strong they already are.  We know how hard it can be to recognise that you may have a problem and reachout for help.  It is not an easy thing to do and takes allot of courage, so I guess we were just trying to congragulate people on that and encorage them to keep seeking help.  Thank you so much for you open and honest feedback, it does mean allot to us :)

Speaking to a professional really is the best thing to do when you are going through a tough time.  Binge eating disorder is a real disorder and there are people and services out there specially trained to help people with this disorder.  If you had the flu the best place to go would be to a doctor so it only makes sense that if you have binge eating disorder then the best thing to do would be to go to a professional trained especially with the skills and knoledge to help you. 

This said we do have some advise on stuff that you can do yourself to eat healthily and improve your body image.  Check out these links: http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/body-image-how-to-love-the-skin-youre-in, http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/eating-well-and-feeling-good, http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/maintaining-healthy-self-esteem, http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/challenging-negative-self-talk

I hope these tips help :)

Thank you for sharing your story and you tips

Roisin - RO Crew

Hey Bee1992,

I am sorry to hear about how you have been feeling about yourself.  If your eating habits are making you unhappy or you feel like they are unhealthy then you need to do something about it. 

There are plenty of people and sevices out there that can help you.  You deserve to be happy!  A professional will be able to help you understand why you are eating the way that you are and help you come up with strategies for more healthy behaviour.

A really good place to start is your local GP or school counsellor.  Here is some more info about these services: http://au.reachout.com/search/show?search=GP&x=12&y=6,  http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/school-counsellors

If you don't feel up to speaking to someone face to face why not give Kids helpline a call on 1800 55 1800.  They are really freindly and 100% confidential and anonymous.  You can call them any time of the night or day free from a land line or pay phone.  They will understand what you are going through.

Another great service is  free web and email counselling. This is also confidential and anomynous, you can check it our at these links: https://www.eheadspace.org.au/

We also have heaps of personal stories written by other young people who have had similar issues to you and have come through the other side to lead happy lives.  You can check them out here: http://au.reachout.com/find/issues/mental-health-difficulties/eating-disorders?kt=stories

If you are thinking of taking any medication then you need to talk to your GP about this.

Keep reaching out
Roisin - RO Crew

Hi there JPTM31195

It sounds like you are going through a really tough time.  If your eating habits are getting to the point where they are effecting your everyday life (and it sounds like it may be) then you need to speak to somebody about everything you are going through.  This is especially important if you think you may have depression. 

Speaking to somebody outside the situation will help you organise your thoughts, get things into perspective and release tension.  A professional will be able to help you come up with strategies to cope with your overwhelming emotions and eat in a healthier way.

Your local GP or school counsellor is a great place to start.  These professionals are specially trainned to deal with a wide range of issues and can give you advise and refer you on to services in your local area that will be able to help you. Check out these fact sheets for more info: http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/local-doctor-or-general-practitioner-gp, http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/school-counsellors.

If you don't feel up to speaking to someone face to face why not give Kids helpline a call on 1800 55 1800.  They are really freindly and 100% confidential and anonymous.  You can call them any time of the night or day free from a land line or pay phone.  They will understand what you are going through.

Another great service is  free web and email counselling. This is also confidential and anomynous, you can check it our at these links: https://www.eheadspace.org.au/

We promise you are not alone in this, you just need to find the right person to listen to you and help you with everything you are going through.

Keep reaching out
Roisin - RO Crew

I am 13 years old and I am almost certain I have a binge eating disorder.
It normally happens when there is no one home e.g. in the afternoons after school, before my parents come home. I just eat so much, I would be so ashamed if someone came and saw me eat so much.
Normally what I crave is cereal, oats, bread and butter... basically carbs. The main one is cereal/oats.This is strange because I have cereal or oats for breakfast, and I am not even that much into them. I think I like the sugariness of the cereals (we dont eat bad ones like nutrigrain or milo, I am talking about oats, weetbix, weetbix bites etc).
Another thing I often find myself wolfing down is nuts- either peanuts or almonds. I have a weakness for roasted almonds and peanuts. Other nuts, such as cashews, I also love but seeing as my parents don't buy them I don't really have them.
My weight has increased over 22 kg since I was 10. When I was 11 I started to eat more and more, but I suppose that was still within normal amounts. Then I went over on lollies, and gained a few kilos. That was still okay. It was last year when I gained A LOT of weight, and gradually I found myself where I am now. I am not overweight, but only just. I am definitely at risk of overweight, and am disgusted with myself when I look in the mirror. I hate dressing up etc because I feel huge. The only reason I am not yet overweight is probably because I have been trying to (secretly) control calories. Sadly, my efforts are often reversed during binges.
My mother on her part, tries to offer support, but often negatively and I feel deprived. To make up for this, I find myself consuming even more.
I feel a sense of victory when I discover food I could eat. This year its better, but last year I used to go to the "gym", and instead sneak down to a shop (it was in a mall) and have as much as a whole packet of cookies.
I lost about 4kg over the summer and was the perfect weight, until I gradually have gained it back since.I want to lose 5kg, so then I will defintely be in the healthy weight range and won't have to worry about being overweight.
Every time I lose weight, I feel great, so then, thinking "Its ok, I have lost weight" I eat more. That way I keep on gaining and can't lose.
Please help me, I would greatly appreciate it.I am not really interested in seeing a psychologist, nutritionist etc because knowing myself, often I can't bring myself to say the problem and then I get the wrong plans.
Any advice on how to control binges,particularly during the school holidays and for cereals and nuts,would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

I understand the confusion anxiety depression & loneliness that bulimia causes because I’ve lived through it for 12 years, struggling with myself every single day to control my food intake. My most severe periods of body/self abuse involved a daily routine of binging twice then purging twice before consuming 120 of the strongest laxatives available. For eight years I was on the recovery trail and slowly my bulimia turned into binge eating disorder where I got stuck for 6 years before healing completely at age 29. I am now 30, healthy happy and wise & effortlessly anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder free. I no longer struggle with myself over food and weight issues because I’m in touch with my emotions.

Hi there heal hunger,

I just wanted to let you know that I had to edit your email address out of your comment as it goes agiainst our community guidelines.  You can check them out here:

http://au.reachout.com/connect/house-rules/

Thanks so much for sharing your story.  It is truly inspiring and I am sure it will help others.

All the best

Roisin - RO Crew

Hi all, 

hi.
I think its really important, reachout, that in your replies you try to avoid comming off as condescending. Although i empathize and agree with it being an important and strong step to make, by coming on these forums and opening up, i think it's slightly damaging to be made to feel like a child, although i understand what you're trying to accomplish by congradulating people for posting. but reading it made me feel slightly offended. just my two cents.
I'm also quite dissapointed to see that most of the advice is just to speak with a professional. There must be more out there.
iv'e been stuggliing with similar problems my whole life as well.  I can understand a few reasons and areas it stemmed from. I am really big on not wasting food because i know i am part of a privaledged society that has an abundance of food, so i will never leave food on a plate.
I didnt realise the extent of my issue until i came on here and read other peoples comments.
I feel i have body dysmorphic disorder too and it's important to put a name to it and part of the healing process and regaining control of my life. The main focus areas i believe are lack of control.
Bee1992, i do similar things with going out of my way to eat, secret eating, feeling embarrassed around others by how much im eating, imagining they are disgusted and  thinking what a fat pig i am.
I also feel my weight didn't stack on as much as it would have if i had not decided to become vegetarian at 16 for ethical reasons. And since i have not consumed food from multi-corporate type fast-food chains.
I still binge eat and i am trying to find a starting point to deal with it, but at least just not eating sugary unknown food from mcdonalds has allowed me to keep a managable but still slowly increasing weight. i overeat, secret eat and binge especially on pasta, cookies, ice cream and bread. but i feel i can still have some of these bad habits, i just overeat wholegrain toast or brown pasta....

when i go to the shops, somedays  i dont allow myself to try to convince myself to pick a healthier option, i turn off my mind, head straight from the chocolate isle to the counter without allowing myself to think. then i buy it, binge it, and feel like crap afterwards, which in turn makes me lose hope and resort back to buy and binging on more and more junkfood. its a horrible cycle.

I guess an important thing to do is to remember you can be strong, and keep your mind present. When you're driving 10 minutes out of the way for more mcdonalds, or like me, rushing to the icecream isle when ive had a (slightly - anything as an excuse) bad day, if you can remain present and think about what youre doing, perhaps if you still want mcdonalds or take out - look out for other slightly healthier places to eat that would still satisfy you.

Making food at home can sometimes be a big effort and i hate putting in effort if its just for me. I'll have anyone over for dinner as an excuse to make a good meal, or else if i'm by myself i'll just eat toast. and more toast and more toast. I have had to relearn my whole idea of food and meals.

If you want to, making  pizza and burgers at home is good. It;s ok to eat burgers, but you can add just a slightly healthier touch to them. wholegrain buns, lots of salad but still mixed in with cheesy saucy goodness. And with pizza you can add spinach leaves and nuts, roast pumpkin, practically anything. You have to rethink your ideas abuot what certain melas are supposed to be like. 

When i find myself in the chocolate isle, sometimes i can snap out of it and reach for the seasame honey coated in chocolate bar instead. it may still be junk food but is just that tiny bit better than eating a whole block of milk chocolate. I know at times when im trying not to buy the chocolate but i dont know what else to buy, im looking for something healthy but everything i want is not healthy, or i can't for the life of me figure out what to get, i get so upset, end up crying or getting extremely angry and leaving the store empty handed and in such a bad self destructive mood. I'm not sure what to do on these occasions. Especially when someone is waiting for me to hurry up, and im in such a tizzy over food i get so angry and say 'just forget it' and leave the store in a huff.

People dont understand when others have issues and relate differently to food than they do. I know like someone else said, i can talk to my friends, but they've never battled it, and they will NEVER understand what its like to have a food complex or eating disorder.... I guess my main focus areas are trying to have control of my life.

Being healthy is only slightly more of a priority for me than attaining the body i want. i just tell  myself that overeating is okay, if its overeating the good stuff. I'm still working on the fact that i intensly overeat he bad stuff too. And more the issue i guess, is overeating in itself. Like everyone herek, when im sad, when im hapy, when im celebrating, when im excited, when im bored...
Also being prepared for school is another biggie. i'm a very lazy person, so i dont bother making good food and lunch to take to school with me and i end up buying heaps of bad food and vending machine crap because im hungry and ill prepared. There are so many factors to keep on top of and it can be so overwhelming...

sorry that was such an incredibly long blab..

Also i should probaly say .. sometime i go out of my way to eat .. i will drive an extra ten minutes to go to mcdonalds , then another ten minutes to go to a diffrent mcdonals for more food ... being to embarrassed to go back into the same one ..

I dont know what else to do so i figured i would join one of these groups with people going through a similar situation as to what i feel i am going through .. All my life i have always been the sporty one in the family, the fit one with long legs and so skinny ... i have also had a really bad body imagine since i can remeber and have always hated my looks and thought i was over weight when i knew that was silly .... now my problems have gotten out of control i eat and eat and eat till i cannot possibly eat anymore then sit in my room and talk to know one feeling absoltly disguting at first a threw up all my food and i never really gained any weight, but my throwt startted to get cut up and i couldnt do it anymore without it hurting ... so now i just binge eat and i am noticing how quickly i am gaining weight ... i also just started a new relashionship and i hate the way i look now .. i sneak around and eat, i just cannot help myself and now its startingto affect muy relashionship because im not comfortable with my body ... i dont know what to do ... when people (family) comment on how much i eat or joke around i get really upset, but instead of it making me not want to eat i just eat more .... i dont know what to do ... i am even resorting to clinical hypnotherapy and trying to get my hands on some intense weight loss pills that will supress my appetite ... does anyone have any advice for me ?

I'm 16...I havn't been diagnosed with binge eating disorder, but i'm almost positive i have it...i'm eating over 6000 calories daily (i know, and i'm really embarrassed writing this, but i think i need help.) I keep trying to stop my binging, and i will last until afternoon each day, and then i binge like crazy...and then i feel all guilty and horrible because of it and i wont talk to anyone for the rest of the day.

i didn't think i had a binge eating disorder until i found a couple of books to help me understand what i was doing to myself... it was ruining my life and i was trying to lose weight but the more i lot the more i just put back on and it wasn't working. food is controlling me and it isn't healthy and i really don't like it i never refuse food because i go with my head not  my gut when i think i'm hungry. i always sneak food into my room and eat it secretively and i get in trouble but i keep doing it ilearn from my mistakes but my head is stuck on eating... i don't want this to happen any more. :'(

Hey KOOKY EATER,

Welcome to RO :)

If your eating habitts and thoughts related to food have gotten to the point where they are interfering with your everyday life then you need to speak to somebody about it.

You have done a really great thing by coming on here and reaching out for help. It was a really brave thing to do and just goes to show how strong you are :)

Speaking to someone about everything you are going through will help you sort through your feelings, get things into perspective and release tension. A professional will be able to help you work through everything you are feeling and come up with strategies so that you can deal with your strong emotions in a healthier way.

A really good place to start is a school counsellor: http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/school-counsellors or a local headspace centre:http://www.headspace.org.au/

If you do not feel up to speaking to someone face to face kidshelp line are really awesome and you can reach them on 1800 55 1800 anytime of the night or day, free from a landline or payphone. They are super freindly too and 100% confidential and anonymous.

They provide web and email counselling too, at this link: http://www.kidshelp.com.au/teens/

Keep reaching out

Roisin - RO Crew