Help I Can't Stop Eating

[farrah 2]

I just don't know whats wrong with me. I just can't seem to stop eating all the time. It seems to be the only thing that comforts me. I feel so alone its unbearable. Truth be told the food isn't really making me feel any better. Just feels like something to do at the time. But when I am finished of course I am dealing with the guilt. Seems no one really understands. Arrrggh.

[Speranza 2]

I went through this with my first big round of depression after high school. The anxiety/depression was so bad I wasn't going out at all. i was watching everyone start their lives, while I sat and was sick and did nothing, and food was the only thing that I was able to get any pleasure from. Even with the guilt afterwards. It went on for over a year, the whole food thing. And I must have gained 50 pounds. The only thing that helped me, and not just with the weight loss, but with the binge eating, was to go on a strict diet. Then I wasn't obsessing about what to eat, and i wasn't getting enjoyment out of it, and therefore wanting to eat more. I went on Nutri-system and it sort of broke that addiction, cause at that point that's what it was. I was literally addicted to food cause it was the only thing that was providing me with even brief pleasure. Even if you don't want to go on an expensive thing like that, writing down and starting a strict and healthy diet might be worth a shot. Gives you something with food other than eating to focus your attention on. Hang in there, I know what you're going through and I know no one gets it. My mom used to make me just feel disgusting, not even realizing she was doing so. People don't understand that when you're sick mentally and not able to enjoy things properly, sometimes you take enjoyment from anything you can.

[deecee 2]

Many of us are trained in childhood to associate food with comfort and good feelings. It is no wonder so many people struggle with food issues. Dieting can help with stress eating. Portioning your food is a good start, even if you don't feel you can go on a full-blown diet.

[Esperahol 0]

Is there a particular thing you eat or can it be anything? I am far more likely to binge on something sweet or salty so I try to avoid having something like that in the house when I'm in that kind of mood. The first thing is removing the temptation or at least reducing that before moving on to the harder bit of just leaving the habit behind.

[shaun 6]

You are not alone, many people can relate to comfort eating, my Mum is one of them. When we feel down we can turn to food to make us feel better, the reality is that it usually makes us feel worse, unless the food is healthy. Eating unhealthy processed food high in sugar will make you feel depressed, tired, and anxious. You need to break the cycle and stop using food for comfort. Replace food with something that will make you feel better without being detrimental to your health.

[scotty 1]

You are not alone, as others have said! I find myself hungry all the time! I have found that taking a vitamin c tablet whenever I am craving something sweet works for me, and that by starting my day of with a high energy breakfast also helps me to pace myself. But I am a comfort eater! If I feel sad, I eat chocolate and I feel happy

[char2011 1]

I definetly know how you feel it seems like lately I have been eating loads. I have so much free time on my hands and I always snack out and eat to occupy my time. I think eating is a thing I do when I'm bored which is always .

[Dawn 1]

It is so difficult isn't it. especially when you see other people who lose weight when they're unhappy! Just one of the unfair things in life, I suppose.

If you had the energy it would be good to take a walk instead of eating, but if you are anything like me, that's the last thing you'll feel like doing! I wish I had the answer to it.

[ellyc 0]

All I want to do lately is eat. It's so bizarre. I'm a big girl as it is, but lately it's been really out of hand. I don't know if it's from the recent stress or what but I need to get it under control. A couple years ago I started a diet plan that helped me greatly and I lost about 60lbs. The forums and groups at a site called SparkPeople are a really good help. Everyone over there is really supportive and it's free. A win win situation if you ask me. I should probably start it up again. Especially with me recent 10lb weight gain...

[SadWitch 15]

I am the same and am really strugeling with this! When im eating something im thinking about what I can eat next!! Food is the only thing that comforts me!! I know how ur feeling and it sucks!!! Xxx

[alycatmeow 0]

I can not stop eating. Period. Sometimes I'm at the grocery store and I'm looking at all the people standing in line with their groceries, and wondering what it would be like to be buying groceries and not having to worry about my weight or how much I'm going to eat tonight. Or what it feels like to be healthy. I can be having an awesome day, and the second I realize its only a matter of time before I Indulge in my evening binge and purge session, I get depressed. I can't control it. It's all I know. Xmas this year will be my one decade anniversary of my eating disorder career. And I really start to wonder how long this can go on before my kidneys start to shut down or my teeth start falling out... I mean, 1 year, whatever. 2,3,4 years... Starting to push it. But 10 years?!?! Now it's at the point where I NEED to stop, bc There's no way I can go on like this for much longer. But I can't stop. I just can't. I hate it. I've tried to stop... And I've learned this: the only thing that feels worse than my eating disorder controlling my life, is trying to quit and then failing and letting myself down all over again... It's almost painful enough to not even try.

[Gilly 1086]

Hi alycat, welcome to AC. From your other post I can tell you are one strong person! You want to do it, you can do it! I used to binge eat at night, I had gained quite a lot of weight, I don't know how old you are but I'm almost 42 and I have been able to stop, and lose weight. You are going through a lot and this is a coping mechanism, yes it's been a year, but please don't think too far ahead and worry about your kidneys and teeth etc it is never too late to turn things around. Right now eating at night brings you comfort, I understand that. But for me swimming now brings me comfort and I honestly would never of thought that could happen.

[jonathan123 2367]

Hi alycat. Having read your other post is it surprising that you comfort eat? My goodness, you have been through it. But that is over. As Gilly says, you must be strong to be able to cope so take heart; you will be able to control the eating but don't try and rush it. Give your body a chance to settle down. As your mind becomes clearer you will be able to see things in a better light. We all fail at recovery at first and go on failing often but eventually it starts to come right. Are you getting any advice on this? Eating disorders can be succesfully treated and a strict regime of eating can be used with advice from a good counsellor who is experienced in this kind of illness. Your teeth will not fall out or your kidneys fail. Where did you get that idea? Being overweight is obviously not desirabe but it can be put right without any long term damage to your health. Be the strong lady we think you are and get some help if you can.   Best wishes.   Jon.i

[Soda Stereo 0]

Hi alycat. Having read your other post is it surprising that you comfort eat? My goodness, you have been through it. But that is over. As Gilly says, you must be strong to be able to cope so take heart; you will be able to control the eating but don't try and rush it. Give your body a chance to settle down. As your mind becomes clearer you will be able to see things in a better light. We all fail at recovery at first and go on failing often but eventually it starts to come right. Are you getting any advice on this? Eating disorders can be succesfully treated and a strict regime of eating can be used with advice from a good counsellor who is experienced in this kind of illness. Your teeth will not fall out or your kidneys fail. Where did you get that idea? Being overweight is obviously not desirabe but it can be put right without any long term damage to your health. Be the strong lady we think you are and get some help if you can.   Best wishes.   Jon.i

 

It's because she said she "purges" so this can be really hard on teeth, the acid from the stomach damages them. I don't know if the teeth would "fall out" but they can be damaged.