Binge eating, can't stop

[Ineedastyleicon]

Please help. I just can't stop binge eating, it's absolutely ridiculous and I don't know why I do it. It's like an addiction, I've had therapy and BWRT and for months I was doing really well but this past week I've just stiffed chocolate, chips, crackers, cheese and I cannot stop.
What can I do?

This thread has been so incredibly helpful, thank you.

I've started doing Gousto which has been helpful. I have to make the meals, and therefore I'm not getting into that incredibly hungry binge cycle.

OP could you have ADHD? Binge eating is a very common symptom. Google it and see if you recognise any of the other symptoms in yourself?

Binge eating can also be a trauma response. I overcame it after I had EMDR therapy.

I have wondered before if I have adhd cos I really struggle to focus, I flit from task to task, I'm hopelessly disorganised, have to really try to stay on top of stuff. My to do lists are total chaos.
How would I get diagnosed and what would be done to help if i did have it?

@Ineedastyleicon

First you would need to see your GP. Diagnosis can be a long hard road but not always.

Treatment depends on the individual but usually involves medication and counseling. There are lots of online tests too which can give you more of an idea of whether you have it or not.

ADHD can mean that you are very low on dopamine. Binge eating is a common way of trying to feel “good”.

What a useful thread and thanks to everyone who has shared.

I'm currently trialling an app on my phone which goes through the questions of "Are you Hungry right now..." etc. Makes me realise how often I am eating, not because I'm hungry, but because it fits in with timings of work (e.g. if I don't eat now, there won't be another chance for a break until 6 hrs later).

I've listened to a few Brain over Binge podcasts today. They are really good. I never knew they did podcasts. I'm going to gradually listen to them all!

Yes maybe that will be my first step! Never listen to podcasts don't even know how you access them?
I binged agsin today, secretly in my car, when I carried my stuff to my car I had similar feelings to how an alcoholic might feel, excited, ashamed, powerless, an illicit thrill.
Felt sick afterwards and contemplated making myself sick but didn't.
Weirdly I'm not gaining weight I'm actually losing weight?

What is bwrt?

Brain working recursive therapy.

@Ineedastyleicon

Yes maybe that will be my first step! Never listen to podcasts don't even know how you access them? I binged agsin today, secretly in my car, when I carried my stuff to my car I had similar feelings to how an alcoholic might feel, excited, ashamed, powerless, an illicit thrill. Felt sick afterwards and contemplated making myself sick but didn't. Weirdly I'm not gaining weight I'm actually losing weight?

They are all on the brain over binge website. Some are a few minutes some are 20 minutes.

Thank you

@BookWorm45

What a useful thread and thanks to everyone who has shared.

I'm currently trialling an app on my phone which goes through the questions of "Are you Hungry right now..." etc. Makes me realise how often I am eating, not because I'm hungry, but because it fits in with timings of work (e.g. if I don't eat now, there won't be another chance for a break until 6 hrs later).

Can you tell us the name of this app please Bookworm?

I just bought the Overcoming Binge Eating book and have downloaded the first episode of the Brain Over Binge podcast.

Thanks for starting this thread @Ineedastyleicon!

Pleasure!
I'm still bingeing, shovelling food in that I'm not even enjoying, think I'm trying to fulfill some sort of void in my life

That could be it too. Are there any feelings you’re trying not to feel? I binged a lot when I was married.

Drink some water too OP if you can xxx

I'm bored with life, I have no motivation I work at home and everything feels like a massive effort.

Eating currently feels like my main pleasure. I have still continued to lose weight though? I just don't understand that. I would quite happily go back to bed and sleep all day if I could.

@Ineedastyleicon

Eating currently feels like my main pleasure. I have still continued to lose weight though? I just don't understand that. I would quite happily go back to bed and sleep all day if I could.

Mmmm same have just applied for a hybrid job as don’t think wfh is v good for my mh!

I’m on day 3 of Dukan and it’s massively helping with my impulse to binge as is so satieting with all the protein !

If you’re losing weight it’s because you’re in a calorie deficit despite binging. Unless you could be unwell?

Unfortunately you cannot diet and overcome binge eating. Binge eating usually happens due to restricted eating patterns.

You will probably find the binging returns with a vengeance once the dieting has worn you down.

That was for Millicent2022

@BusterGonad

That was for Millicent2022

Yeah but it’s not restricted intake , that triggers me massively. Dukan is unrestricted protein and veg

Get yourself to the GP. Losing weight despite binge eating could be a sign of a number of metabolic/endocrine problems.

Random recommendation but I recently read the Marian Keyes book Grown Ups. There's a character with this issue and I really recognised myself in her. It's actually helped me a lot to see how I can manage things better.