Seeing doctor about my binge eating

Perhaps ask your GP if there is a primary care worker who can assess you for some CBT. It can help with strategies for binge eating and also consider the underlying drivers. Good luck, hope you get an understanding response from the doctor.

I also binge eat sometimes but find it happens when I am bored - usually when I sit down after a busy day. I hope your Doctor can help you.

It does sound psychological. However if you DO consult your doctor I'd make sure you get to the underlying cause of the problem.

I don't binge eat, but I do eat too much sometimes (out of greed) and I find keeping a food diary helps.

Are there any triggers that sets the bingeing off?

It seems to be when I'm bored. I'll have to keep myself busy.

Mmm...are you really eating that much, though? If you're a 12/14 and 5'6 you sound in proportion.

How much do you eat at a binge session?

I was on slimming world so stuck to plan about 3-4 days out of 7. On a binge session I could easily eat 2 slices of toast with butter and cheese, 2 caramel biscuits, 2 or 3 packets of crisps,2 or 3 jam donuts a six pack of pink'n white wafers and a 4 pack of full size magnums...All within an hour. So I'm pretty sure that I have a problem.

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Why have you got so much junk food in the house? Surely you don't make a special trip to buy it, do you?

Binge eating disorder is classed as a mental illness.

Binge eating disorder is more common than anorexia and bulimia. I was hoping that there was someone with the same problem but clearly not. "Tough love" approach will not cure it.

I have had a similar problem which has haunted me since childhood. Tried to email you but not sure how to do it. All my icons.have funny letters in them

Not easy to live with but no one ever takes.it seriously. Secret eating!!!!!

Thank you lullydully. I really wish I hadn't posted on here now.

Just click on 'private message' in the pink bar with the poster's name in it.

Antjexix Don't be put off by one or two harsh postings - most GNs are sympathetic. jbf to say a binge eater is "ridiculously greedy" is not helpful. If Antjexix binge eating is the result of a mental condition the doctor can refer her for treatment. Whatever the cause I think she is doing right to see her doctor to rule out any underlying medical problem and the doctor could also suggest ways of dealing with the over eating.

Thank you sunseeker

I have a niece who eats irregularly, and always has from childhood through to adulthood. The thing is, that over a longer period, she reckons she eats about the same as everyone else, and it is a reasonably well balanced diet, just not taken via 3 meals a day. So is your binge eating like this, or do you binge on really unhealthy stuff. If it roughly balances overall, them maybe you need to cut yourself some slack, and ask your SW consultant to set your target weight where you are now, as it's a perfectly reasonable dress size for your height.

I know this doesn't fit with the official nutrition and diet advice, but I know that the psychology of managing your weight is very important. If you are constantly beating yourself up, then it seems inevitable that you will comfort yourself by bingeing. However, if your current eating pattern isn't doing you any harm, and is giving you the nutrients you need, then taking the pressure off yourself and accepting that sometimes you want to eat loads and other times you might not want to eat much or at all, seems better than worrying yourself into an early grave.

Bulimia is as hard to understand to those with no experience of it as anorexia is. I hope you get some help with your problems Antexix.

Still don't know why anyone would keep a supply of junk food in the house. Would be really interested to know that.

There is usually a long wait for CBT. And that's for people with real mental health problems. Problems that seriously infringe upon everyday life.

Are you depressed? The doctor would probably prescribe antidepressants.

I don't understand the reference to bulimia and anorexia.

I will get off this thread. GNHQ will tell me I'm not "being supportive" enough.

Antjexix it does sound like it's psychological and I think you're doing the right thing to get help. I'm sorry you're getting unhelpful replies that can only make you feel worse. It is off-putting and I wish someone with the same problem was around to reply.

The problem is recognised by the NHS (you can read about it here and the advice is to see your GP).

Good luck.

jbf. It's quite true. You're not.
It probably took some courage for Antjexis to write about her problem and in particular to list all the things she eats when she's bingeing. That has nothing to do with greed. The fact she buys the stuff is that she knows she will want it sooner or later. It probably would help Antjexis if you were to buy fewer of the things that tempt you and, as others have said, to fill your time differently if you feel a binge is looming. Do seek medical help too although I'm sure they will just encourage you not to do it. Waiting times for counselling can be long. You will eventually need, I feel, to find out what is triggering this need. I hope you get some help but think you can start with self help - buy less of the treats, and find other things to do. You've taken the first step by coming on here. I wish you well.

You are always going to get a variety of reactions when posting anything. You can't tell people they have to be supportive and indeed sometimes it is useful to realise there is more than one take on a problem.

If the OP is just looking for support then there is plenty of that and she can ignore posts that don't match her expectations. We are all old enough to have worked out how to do that by now.

I'm not able to comment on this condition, though I do have the occasional binge myself (doesn't everyone ?) but as her size seems slim enough for her height, I'd ask if her physical health is being affected in any way. If not then there are plenty of helpful suggestions on here which can be tried.

The only way to stop myself thinking about cake, biscuits or chocolate when DH has gone out is not to have any in the house (well, I can still think, but not eat), then to go and do something else eg knitting, tidying, typing up family history etc.

Thanks jbf. I have to change to desktop to send an email. I tend to stick to mobile site