AIBU to think the doctor can't help with binge eating / weight loss a

[clearwaters]

Sorry to post again. I'm not having a great day.

I hate dealing with medical professionals in any capacity: not sure why.

But I have been trying and failing to lose weight for two years now and it's just getting ridiculous. I'm at least 5 stone overweight.

I just can't seem to stop binge eating. It's gross and greedy but it's also one of the few things that brings me pleasure, only of course it doesn't.

So this morning I rang the doctor and it was no good as the receptionist wasn't very helpful but AIBU to think they probably can't do anything anyway and just keep trying to lose weight.

I think one of the problems is I've never had a 'normal' relationship with food.

Feel slightly more optimistic now ... I just hate myself so, so much.

The Dr can refer you to someone like a CBT therapist but ultimately you have to be the one that does it. You can go to all these things but it's not until you are ready to accept that it is you who can change this then it won't work.
I hope that doesn't sound harsh but I say this as a (mostly) recovered bulimic of 14 years. I went to the Dr, tried cbt and hypnosis but really I wanted them to make it better for me and that didn't address the issues I had surrounding food.
In the end I did it myself by trying to become more self aware of when I was eating and why and then developing alternative strategies.
I still don't have a "normal" relationship with food and I still have the occasional relapse.
Good luck. You can do it!

The fact is, no doctor, diet, or nutritionist can help if you if don't want to be helped. The desire to change your life has to come from you. So many people have managed to turn things around, and I truly believe you can, too. Turn the self-hate you feel into determination. Start now and never look back. In less than a year, your life can be totally different.

I've seen people recommend the book Brain over Binge on here.

I would also recommemd
The Thin Woman's Brain by Dilia Suriel (it helped me lots)

I would also strongly recommend Overeaters Anonymous. It's friendly, there are literally all shapes and sizes there and it can really help.

Also yes your gp should see you. I wish there was more help on offer. We have an obesity epidemic. Lots and lots of people struggle with binging.

I would also add that the first step to not binging is eating enough. Particularly eating enough healthy fat. Fat satiates you. It regulates your appetite. It tastes great. Lots of people barely eat any then run into difficulties then feel ashamed when there's nothing wrong with them ither than needing more nutrition. Avocadoes, olive oil, butter, greek yogurt and nuts and seeds are all great for you. Following a Medditeranean diet is a really good diet generally.

Helping to balance out your insulin response can definitely take the urgency out of bingeing, and may help to reduce the binges. You may need some sort of cognitive therapy too. Bingeing and insulin are linked and some conditions (such as PCOS) often have these two as side effects.

I was/am a binge eater, and ironically a life long dieter. I find I am 'better' when I cut carbs down but not out, and avoid really high GI carbs such as bread, grains, rice, pasta, potatoes and sugar. I still binge, and I still fantasise about bingeing, but on the whole I do manage to get those few seconds head space to say no (sometimes) and don't 'wake up' surrounded by wrappers wondering what the hell just happened. A pp mentioned this about eating food that doesn't spike your insulin and I would add to that and say have something that is high in fat and Strong flavoured such as really sharp cheese or full fat natural yoghurt.

I have never had any therapy for bingeing so wouldn't know, and I guess I felt like you OP and believed that a dr couldn't really help.

Good luck

Bingeing repeatedly and being unable to stop, even when you know how bad it is for you and how much weight it's making you gain, is an eating disorder.
Well in that case I have an eating disorder! I thought it was just greed and a lack of willpower.

Ahhh, me starving myself to 5 stone was obviously a great example of the willpower OP lacks then, @Nikephorus? No. Both eating disorders.

Might look less severe, perhaps but it is still in every way an eating disorder

Sorry for blunt response but OP's misery at her eating patterns is not the way to live

@clearwaters you can get help, hope you manage to overcome.

Hi Clearwaters. I think you should call your practice and get a GP appointment. They may be able to refer you for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and might also make a referal to a psychiatrist for you. Take this opportunity to work through the issues you have which are causing you to overeat with these professionals. I have experience of both - but a slightly different eating disorder to you. It can work. You can come out the other side with a sense of self worth and a heathier relationship with food. Sometimes we all need help with these things. If you feel this is your time to get this sorted you can do it, but you need to put the effort in with the treatment. The pros cant just sort it without your buy-in.Good luck.

Well in that case I have an eating disorder! I thought it was just greed and a lack of willpower.

Yes just like those so called anorexics! Just vain and stubborn

Well your Dr could refer to the appropriate expert. If your lucky your area may have specialist psychologists who work in this area. If not you may find somebody like a CBT therapist might help? If you have the means to pay I'd say try to find a private psychologist who works in this area...

@rockshandy It might be different for everyone, but porridge worked for me. I would be really strict though. I would let myself make a bowl, eat it, and then I would have to wash everything up and start again if I wanted another one. I started with a small amount of sweetness added, then reduced it over time. Also dry ryvita seemed to help. However, in hindsight, porridge does spike your blood sugar, and actually, as previous posters have said, fat is better. But just fat - fat and sugar is a deadly combo! Bacon and eggs does the job for me now.

I should also add that this was a gradual process. It's so hard to explain to people the binge compulsion - I have given up both alcohol and cigarettes, due to addiction problems, and neither of them came close to the food compulsion. I guess part of the difficulty is that giving up alcohol completely solved the problem for me - but you can't give up food completely. I have strict rules though : Never eat sugar on an enjoy stomach. Don't snack - if I am hungry, I have a meal. Find a simple, goto meal that you always have stocks of - mine is sauteed sweet potato and kale with some optional protein. For some reason, sweet potato is fine, but normal potato not (for me). If I stick to these, I am okay.

Bugger. Empty, not enjoy!

@hamsterchump

Just wanted to say thanks for the link up thread. Really interesting and has rather struck a chord with me.

No doctor can help unless YOU stop putting food in your mouth.

Have you ever heard of Lipotrim? It's a controlled diet through your Pharmacist. I did it years ago, lost just over five stone in just under 3 months. It was amazing and I even cheated here and there.