To think compulsive over eating is a mental health illness *warning may be sensitive*

[OhFFSWhatsWrongNow]

"All you have to do to lose weight is to eat healthier and exercise more"

Oh really? I had no idea. So all the over eating I have been doing for the last 22 years to comfort me through a very rough childhood can be cured just like that? Wow, thanks, that's very helpful, all my problems are solved then.

No! I'm sorry but this is an extremely ignorant view. Would you say to an anorexic "just eat more food. You'll be fine in no time"? I sincerely hope you wouldn't. So why would you challenge an over eater as to why they don't eat less food?

Don't get me wrong, I understand people must take responsibility for themselves. I'm not denying that. But for people who have had traumatic upbringings or events in their lives and turn to food for comfort, it can feel like they have lost all control over their eating. This is how I feel, and yes, I need help. It's not so easy to ask for it. Being obese is shameful enough without going to someone and admitting it. From the outside looking in, it doesn't seen so bad. But when you're the one asking, it can seem truly daunting, so many people just don't ask for it.

I want to talk about a taboo subject here, and debunk a myth that states all fat people are just lazy slobs who have no self control and just like to eat all day. This is not only judgemental and a disgusting way to think, it's also completely ridiculous. Many larger people have active lives, many of us take part in sports and have normal active lives. Just because we are over weight doesn't mean we lie around all day stuffing our faces. I have 6 children, do you think I have time to sit my arse on my couch all day? And no, my children are not overweight, for those wondering.

The self control issue, however may be correct. Because when you eat until you are so very unhealthy, you have lost control haven't you? If I could just stop over eating I would. Why the hell would I (or anyone) eat so much that they got dangerously overweight on purpose? I don't enjoy it, and don't know many people who do. I'm not saying it's an excuse to be fat, or makes it ok.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that compulsive over eaters have a problem, just like people who starve themselves, or people who have depression(which I also have) and deserve help, sympathy and respect, and not ridicule and being made fun of.

So to all my school bullies, and those "friends" and family members and even judgemental people who think obese people are too lazy to do anything about their weight, trust me, you are just making a mental health problem worse. Unless you have struggled with this problem you will never understand.

There isn't always a psychological need, fairy.

People become addicted to smoking because nicotine is addictive. People become addicted to sweets because sugar is addictive. Yes, sometimes, there is an underlying 'cause' but not always and besides, some people are able to shrug things off.

I used to binge eat; I know why I did it but found it difficult to stop. Counselling told me triumphantly why I did it but I already knew! Ultimately I stopped because I wanted to.

But this thread is about people with MH issues.

Addiction is what it is. For most sufferers trying to get better on their own must feel like trying to pull yourself up by your boot laces.

IMO, Nicotine addiction is not really comparable in most cases. Neither is a caffeine addiction.

You can be fat and still be missing out on essential vitamins.

Well done, wading. But ultimately everyone stops because they want to. Not because they're made to by anyone (see my previous post re. horses and water).

It would be great if there was water available though, there is no help for overeaters on the NHS, none whatsoever.

They do, yes, but they don't need professional support, in every case :)

And if someone doesn't want to stop, professional support won't help.

I think the point you mean about nicotine and caffeine is that it is a physical, rather than emotional, addiction. In all honesty then, and bluntly, we can't have it both ways - either sugar and carbs are addictive and thus are comparable to nicotine/caffeine, or they are not.

Anyone that has quit smoking can tell you that the psychological addiction of smoking persists long after the physical symptoms of withdrawal have passed. I quit 9 years ago, still crave it sometimes in certain situations, but it passes... I imagine most addictions have both psychological and physical aspects to them.

I think it depends on the person. I know my mum did, when she stopped smoking, but my dad didn't.

I think you're right re the psychological/physical aspects though.

Yes, nutrition needs to eventually be sorted in any eating disorder, but the most pressing and severe cases (IME most often Anorexia) need immediate medical/nutritional attention - sometimes in hospital.

Well I quit smoking and I can tell you it was a walk in the park compared to endless dieting and craving food.

toys illnesses shouldn't be overlooked because they are insidious.

You seem to be (continually) suggesting that anorexia is 'more' of an illness than obesity, facts show that is simply not true and it is not helpful to classify one as being 'better' or 'more important' than the other.

Most binge eaters will happily gorge on a range of different things, protein included. It is not about sugar.

Those people who simply like eating sugar and/or overindulge in it are not mentally ill.

ICanHearYou: I have not said such things, neither do I think so. But obesity in it self (as defined by BMI) is not a mental illness. Binge/compulsive eating is.

My apologies, I did, in fact, say that obesity isn't a mental illness, as such. (For some reason was thinking you had been talking about compulsive eating/BED.. ) Obesity can cause illness, and it can result from certain illnesses (e.g. BED, medication for other illnesses), but, no, it is not a mental illness in itself.

I'm with ccridersuz. I think she summed up my feelings quite well.

I used to think compulsive eating was a bit like being an alcoholic. Now I see it as being more like a smoker. I used to binge eat but when I cut out sugar, and in fact all carbs as starchy carbs break down to sugar, I stopped wanting to overeat. I always thought it was a psychological problem and maybe for some it is, but when I cut out processed carbs from my diet it made me realise it's more of a physical problem as those foods are addictive. I was still the same me psychologically but the cravings were gone after a few weeks.

Think about it, no one ever binges on steak and salad (alone) do they? No, it's your bread, chips, chocolate, starchy sweet foods.

I read the diet delusion by gary taubes and urge the OP to do the same. He basically says cut out carbs. if you follow his advice for a year you will not have either a weight problem or an overeating problem I guarantee.

Forgot to add that obesity can co-exist and feed off illnesses, such as mental illness (Depression, Anxiety Disorders, etc.). In those cases the co-existing illnesses will often need to be treated/addressed for the patient to be able to lose weight.

If you do find that you are mentally suffering to the point of it having a significant negative impact on your life, you should definitely seek help from your GP and be assertive. Unfortunately, talking therapies are in short supply in a lot of places, but sometimes just medication can work, as well as a good, supportive relationship with your GP.

I recently read this guy's book and I really liked what he had to say about the whole subject, especially how trite is is to just say "eat less move more"...

Did you really have BED, maggie? As in eating vast amounts of food (5000-15000 or more kcal) at one short sitting, well past the point of fullness, often until in pain, with debilitating guilt and disgust afterwards - only to do it again as soon as you're physically able to? That is not simply sugar addiction.

I have been to my gp, I've cried and begged for referral, I've gone to the CMHT who have told me in no uncertain terms that I am not depressed/harming enough to warrant further care.

Take some antidepressants, eat yourself into oblivion and then get invasive stomach surgery. That is what our health service offers to overweight people.

That sucks, ICan. They're definitely failing you there. Maybe try and see another GP?

No, I'll just deal with it, I am dieting and sorting myself out.

I can't blame people who find it tough though.

ToyrRLuv I believe I did have it yes.

Funny thing is, whenever I go back to eating carbs/processed food/junk it comes back again but when I give up those foods it goes away and I become a 'normal' eater, ie eat when I'm hungry, no cravings, don't feel need to snack excessively. Funny that. But hey everyone's different, this is just what works for me.

Getting peer support, e.g. on MN, is a good way to help yourself, if your peers are on the same page with you.

Everyone is different, so, anecdotally, almost anything will work for almost anything.

I wish you good luck, ICan! I just hope you do not think that all health professionals are useless. Some are, and some might seem so because the frustrating lack of resources, but most are there because they want to help you.