Bingeing but not purging

[dantesmom 1]

Any experience with this? I totally binge out on enormous amounts of food but it is not like classic Bulimia in that I do not purge myself of the food. For the longest time I thought that the fact that I do not purge meant that it was not a true eating disorder until my counselor advised me that it is. I think I tend to binge more when my depression is getting a hold on me. I also binge to relieve stress. It is really a dificult thing to overcome. I have tried alternate ways to manage stress as well as a variety of antidepressants but I still binge. Anyone out there gone through the same thing?

[Quirky Jessi 2]

It's actually more common that you think. In fact, part of the reason so many people are obese is because they became too stressed and/or depressed and they turned to food when they were down. Emotional eating plagues lots of us, but when it gets out of control, it can cause even more problems, turning it into a vicious cycle.

Is your counselor working to help you through your depression beyond just the meds?

[daisiesndots 1]

I binge all the time. I am trying to stay healthy and am trying to lose weight. However, I tend to turn to food when I have any emotion. When I am happy I turn to food. I also turn to food when I am mad, stressed or bored. The only time that I do not turn to food is when I am sad, at that point I choose to ignore all food as a type of punishment. But otherwise, I binge usualy at night. I eat foods that are not even enjoyable, I don't even have to like them but I go looking through my cabinets for SOMETHING to eat. And no matter how guilty I feel about it, I still eat it and in the end, no matter how crappy I physically feel, I do not purge.

[arctic 0]

I thought I just really enjoy the food that is served or available. Until I realized that eating makes me feel good. The more I feel that it's gonna hurt my health, the more I become guilty about it. But I do not purge. I like the the calmness it brings me when I have "enough" of it. Now that I am aware that binge eating is a disorder, I have found excuse for eating more. That is when I become more guilty. If I tell myself to eat less, I would end up eating more. This has been a battle that I never win at. I hope to find one good advice that can help me with this.

[Quirky Jessi 2]

For those who struggle with this, you might find some help by stocking your pantries with mostly good or semi-good foods. It won't stop you from ordering a pizza or stopping by a fast food joint, but when it's late at night and you're alone and binging, it'll at least help keep the negative effects to a minimum. While it feels good to eat at the time, the guilt that kicks in the next day can be awful. Try making sure you have plenty of produce you like, crackers, pretzels, popcorn etc. Even if you add some cinnamon and sugar to the popcorn (or preferably a healthier topping), you can eat a bunch of it and "feel" like you're eating a lot, but not actually take in a ton of calories.

[shaun 6]

You are using food to cope with your depression and stress, you associate eating food with feeling better, this is actually quite common. Most people have experienced comfort eating. We crave food when we feel low, under the illusion it will solve our problems. Eating a big bar of chocolate may bring temporary relief from stress, but after that you will feel even worse. My advice would be to replace your comfort eating mechanism with exercise. Exercise will relieve stress, and it will not make you feel worse.

[panicstricken 4]

I don't have a eating problem, but I do eat because I'm bored. I found that food an emotions are so closely related. You eat because you're happy, and you eat because you're sad. It's a vicious cycle, but there is always something that can be done to curb your appetite. When I get hungry and I just ate I will try to find something else to do to take my mind off of food. It can be exercise, watching TV, and going on the computer. Excessive eating is a difficult habit to break and sometimes it takes a professional to lead you making healthier food choices.

[deecee 2]

Binge eating is certainly a huge problem in the United States. There are a lot of good techniques to try in the other posts above this one. Each person is different, so you would need to try different things to see what works for you.

I also am somewhat of a binge eater, although not nearly as much as I once was. I was in a very negative life situation which contributed to both my depression and my binge eating. Extricating myself from the situation helped tremendously.

Two other things that helped me to control my eating, at least most of the time, were drinking more water, and educating myself about typical American food. There are many books and websites available that explore modern food. Once I learned more about them, a lot of foods no longer appealed to me.

[anxiousartist 13]

I've been binge eating for years. I think the problem is I've gotten so used to stuffing myself full of food at night, I can't sleep unless my stomach is full of food.

 

I've just recently started to eat less before going to bed. I still eat, but I try to eat vegetables and especially protein. I've finally started losing weight after years of trying.

 

I finally just set a modest goal of 5 pounds a month, and I've finally started being successful. It feels so great to finally lose weight.

 

I came to the conclusion the single greatest thing I could do to improve my life would be losing weight. It's my number one priority this winter.

[jonathan123 2368]

Good for you anxious. Another success story. The secret is to take everything in this illness slowly. One step at a time. We get impatient though, don't we? I think the words 'baby steps' sums it up. And what better priority could you have. (Watch it at Christmas though) .  Jon.

[OrangeClouds 2]

[catherineinky 13]

When I was 14 I was anorexic. I almost killed myself by not eating! What saved me? Therapy? No... my parents. They sat with me and fed me small portions.. I will always be thankful for their patience. I got down to 80 pounds and my periods even stopped. 

[Yellow Butterfly 19]

I eat like this often, starve myself, used to be for 3 1/2 days at one point. now its not as long or as frequently. then I would binge eat, no purging. sometimes I would eat from 3pm to 3am. I cant say I have conquered it, but it's nowhere near as severe. but right now it is worst than it was a year ago and I still have to get food under control

[DLJ 1]

I'm so glad you posted this.. I've known for a long time i've had a problem with eating but only recently have i identified it could be connected to my mental health..

[fatcow47 0]

I am a new member but am 47 and have had this more than half of my life. It has been continuous and my body is getting tired.

[cat lady 1]

Binge Eating Disorders are common!  

 

Everyone has really good suggestions here.

 

A binge is eating more than 1000cals in one "session" and someone who has a binge eating disorder feels helpless to the impulse.  

 

@yellow butterfuly: I experience(d) the same situation.  I think the thing that helped me break the cycle was eating a steady stream of fruit.  Sounds weird, but I ate a piece of fruit/had juice at least every hour and I think it helped keep my blood sugar stable enough to not get a binge trigger. 

 

I haven't starved/binged/purged in over 2 years.