Seeing doctor about my binge eating

Thanks you again for all your comments. Most of them quite helpful.

Antjexix , There are some `very strong` characters on this forum so you will have to take the helpful posts and ignore the not so helpful .
I think you should see your Gp as the binge eating could get out of control easily . It not only affects weight but also blood pressure and blood fats which could contribute to heart disease at our age . It is not really about what you weigh or what size you are but the fact you just can`t stop when you start . xx

Antjexix I have a friend with this problem and she has found it easier to deal with since talking about it because it is no longer 'secret'. Apparently keeping something to do in your hands is very helpful, things such as crochet, needlework of some kind, crafting etc. as well as just keeping generally busy. Have something to work towards even if only giving yourself a list of jobs to do before going for a walk at a particular time and keep your social calendar busy too.
If one doesn't have the problem or know of someone with such a problem then it just doesn't exist for folk hence the lack of understanding/empathy so just relax and don't worry what anyone says if you don't find it helpful.
Hope you find the help that you need and that you let us know what the advice is and how you get on.

I kid myself I keep cakes and biscuits in the house in case visitors call in and need feeding. The reality is when visitors arrive I have usually eaten them so Antjexix you are certainly not alone in this issue. I too try to divert my thoughts but I can hear the food calling to me......... I tidy drawers,clean,reorganise the wardrobe,drink lots of water in fact anything other than succumb to eating lots. But if I weaken and eat it all I try very hard not to beat myself up over my "failure " once it's done it's done so I try and move on . I also keep a food diary and if I look at what I consume over a week it's not really outrageous calorie wise. So don't be too miserable over it , speak to your slimming world consultant and perhaps the other members of your group may be able to offer you some support.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Thank you sunseeker

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.

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

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

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!!!!!

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.

Binge eating disorder is classed as a mental illness.

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

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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.

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?