Binge eating - anyone been to a support group?

[DestinedToAlwaysBeAChubster]

I've been a binge eater since the 90s. Now in my 40s and I feel I really need help with it.

At my heaviest I've been 19 stone. Managed to lose 8 of it as my head was finally in a good space, then became poorly and put back 5 stone of it. I'm still poorly, it's a chronic illness which is going to result in needing a new kidney or two. I was however in a great headspace at the beginning of the year and I've since lost just over 3 of it, and was doing so good, until recently where work has been so stressful and as a result my mental and physical health dipped.

I've been off work for 3 weeks annual leave, and I've done nothing but eat, even though I'm not hungry, I used every excuse to fill my face. Packets of biscuits, scones, peanut butter sandwiches, crisps, big bars of chocolate. I've also been on holiday for a week with my family and ate continuously. I'm so disgusted in myself. I've put 11lb on and cannot face going back to my slimming club with embarrassment.

I've been toying with the idea of going to a binge eating support group. Has anyone been to one? The site says it follows the same steps as an Alcohol Anonymous, which I know is religious and not sure I can put up with that as not religious.

I cannot go on like this the rest of my life. I am so unhappy when I'm fat, I loved being thinnish, felt more confident.

I called the Overeaters Anon group about it but she was very sniffy when I said I didn't believe in a higher power. She told me she didn't think it would be a good fit for me. Put me right off.

I also went to Overeaters Anonymous once. They were nice but there was only one other fatty and the rest were anorexics or bullimics. One of them even joked about it. I didn't go back.

Oh, and the group didn't bother with the higher power nonsense. It was more like a classic support group where you just talk.

I bought some hypnotherapy that you just play online. It helps me. They have an online Facebook community too. They cover lots of different things not just eating. Here is a link in case it’s useful to you https://www.facebook.com/groups/3132686273641919

I have cycles of binging when I’m unable to express my emotions. I eat my feelings. I’m sorry you have been so unwell with chronic disease, you deserve to be living as healthy a life as possible, free from the self disgust. I tried OA meetings, but I can’t relate to “higher powers” and my sponsor had multiple other additions and was not in a suitable place to offer support unfortunately. The only thing Ive found helps is hypnosis sessions from YouTube. You may need to try a few to find a style that suits you. Some of the guided meditation types can be difficult to relax to if their visualisation of relaxing places differs from your minds eye. I listen to the recordings last thing a night with earphones, they work even if you don’t stay awake beyond the first few minutes. I’ve found general fitness message boards supportive too. I hope you find something that works.

I've posted this on a different thread today.

It's called the No BS weight loss programme.

This is the free version. The paid version is about £50 a month.

It details with the emotional causes and learned behaviours behind disordered eating.

As someone who has had weight problems my whole life, including binging and restricting, I have found it incredible.

go.skimresources.com?id=470X1716091&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.phit-n-phat.com%2Fsuccess-stories%2F&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2Ftalk%2F_chat%2F4871032-people-laughing-at-my-dd%3Freply%3D128382520

@SilverPearl i definitely eat my feelings. I can actually pin point the moment in my life when it happened and the food I ate at the time. A very traumatic time for me.

Will take a look at hypnotherapy. I've tried the virtual gastric band one years ago and didn't help much after a week. I'm trying to get counselling, but there are such huge waiting lists.

The local group to me is with OA, I really don't buy into religion, so after reading a few of your feedbacks, I'm unsure now. I might try it once.

@RedDawg @CantFindTheBeat Thank you for the links you posted.

@DestinedToAlwaysBeAChubster Don’t let us put you off OA, do try a session. Good luck!