Question:
Does anyone know anything about this or been through counselling for it?
Binge eating disorder is when a person eats large quantities of certain foods when not actually hungry. The kind of food varies from person to person. There is no vomiting or purging like with Bulemia. But there is guilt and self-loathing after the binge. I have been diagnosed as having borderline B.E.D. by an eating disorders clinic. I am 10 weeks postop and cannot binge but I feel at times that I would like to. I have been able to keep it under control but what about a year or 2 from now? I am on a waiting list for a class at the eating disorders clinic. This class will be mostly anorexics and bulemics with only 1 or2 bingers based on the fact that all eating disorders originate in the head. Has anyone here at OH gone through this either preop or post op and is counselling for binge eating helpful post op when you can't eat alot anyway? Would I be wasting my time taking the class? All input on this is appreciated. — mary ann T. (posted on October 17, 2003)
October 17, 2003
I would say to you, please do get the counseling now while you are forced
to comply. As with me and alot of others. I can eat chocolate candy which
I am addicted to and have had to put it away in order to lose the rest of
my weight and not gain. But you can binge just not a whole lot at one time
but over many times....very very bad get help now...
— Tammy P.
October 17, 2003
Maryann, I do not know personally of this disorder but wanted to give you a
pat on the back for recognizing you have a problem and doing something
about it. Your very smart to try to gain control so early post-op as I can
tell you that the further out you get the more eating disorder and bad
habits creep back in. The surgery is on our bodies and not our heads and
eating disorders originate in the head. If the class is not personalized
enough for you, ask the clinic for referral to a private counselor. You
may need some intensive one on one work. Be proud of yourself for taking
charge.
— Cindy R.
October 17, 2003
I have been a binge eater since age 12. It got much better after
counseling. I had my surgery about 3 months ago and I still have the
feeling of wanting to binge sometimes - I'm not even hungry - it is purely
emotional. In fact, the "volume eating" was what I missed the
most in the first few weeks postop. Will I feel like binging again, yes.
I can't fix tomorrow, I can only take care of me today. Overeaters
anonymous is a great organization, and I would encourage you to find a
group where you live. Most people who go to OA meetings feel like you do,
and it is so good to be understood and accepted just as you are by others.
One of their mottos - which comes from Alcoholics Anonymous originally, is
"One day at at time." I think taking the class can only help.
Being in a 12-step program is not completely out of line for those of us
who have made food their drug. I think being in individual counseling to
find what triggers you, and alternatives to dealing with your feelings
instead of getting numb with the food, is an important part of your
healing. Email me any time.
— bethybb
October 17, 2003
I agree with what Beth said. The eating disorder clinic can only help as
can OA, as I have done both. And private therapy might help also. I would
go with first two for sure and consider therapy depending on how the others
work for you. . . .You are on the right path. . . .Blessings.
— Marrilee M.
October 18, 2003
Hey Mary ann,
I have BED, and I went through a 6 week eating disorders clinic a couple of
years ago. I'll tell you my thoughts, all eating disorders are the same
disease but just present different symptoms. I think that it is a way of
dealing with out emotions. And for me to deal with stuff from the past that
I couldn't deal with. I have been through the anorexia stage and the
bulimia stage before hitting the BED. not eveyone hits all of the stages.
But I think definitely therapy helps. After i did the clinic I have had
private counseling and it really helps with my mental health which also
helps with the eating. OA is also a good source of support, they even have
meetings online. Well I hope this helps, feel free to email me if you want
to talk. I know that this is a small space to try and explain a complex
subject. Oh and I'm still pre-op, not for long though!
Lisa (lap/rny 10-23-03)
— Lisa H.
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