To consider going to see a psychologist or counsellor about overeating

[Mammylamb]

I've put on about 2 and a half stone in the past 15 months. I compulsively eat. Honestly, I want to eat all the time. Even if I'm not hungry!!

I'm thinking that slimming world would work for a week or so and then I'd go back to my old habits

Has anyone had psychological treatment for overeating?

I've seen a hypnotist before for a different issue and was considering going back again as I think I emotional eat. I found a dietician unhelpful- or unhelpful as my only line of support, although she did recommend getting tests for different conditions that might cause weight issues; an avenue worth considering as well?

Blimey Mammy, I have been pondering making this exact post myself!

I too think it's psychological and think I should seek some kind of CBT - I've had it for a phobia and it was rather good.

Like you, my eating isn't necessarily emotional, or to soothe upset/boredom/frustration etc, and it has nothing to do with ignorance of how to eat properly. I eat cake and chocolate because I love it, it's a habit, and it makes me happy when planning to eat it, in the lead up to eating it, and while I'm eating it. It's like a FWB you really really look forward to seeing, and you can't give them up no matter how toxic.

Except of course, afterwards you feel bloated and ill and ugly and wonder why you keep doing it. And then you feel bad about yourself, so you move back towards your old friend again to forget about it all for a while.

I have broken the habit several times before, and lost 3 stone on several occasions. But eventually, the pull of my old friend and mindless abandon wins out in the end and I remain 4 stone overweight. I wish I knew what to do, willpower just isn't enough is it?

Well done Chicken and others who have beaten this!

I would second hypnosis. I don’t over eat but I don’t make great choices when it comes to the good stuff like veg. I want to crave the good stuff instead of the bad!
She was fab and gave me a copy of the session to listen to whenever I want.
It does help. But I need to go back for regular sessions I think. I only had one and money was tight.

I was just listening to a radio segment on Overeaters Anonymous, dd2 talked all over it so content wise I can't tell you much but you could look them up. One girl interviewed isn't and never was overweight but was always eating, hiding food or thinking about food

Yes definitely! CBT would be really helpful

YANBU

Try the book, 'Overcoming Binge Eating' by Christopher G Fairburn. It was written to go with an NHS CBT based counselling programme but, whether you are able to access that counselling or not, you could use the book independently.

I think the counselling course is called Overcoming Binge Eating too. Some of it assumes bulimia/other compensatory behaviours but not all of it. I think it is very relevant to COE too.

I had CBT for bulimia. I'd been bulimic for 10 years. It's hard work and you have to commit but it changed my life. I've had two children and gained around 2stine each time. I've lost the weight without falling back into bad habits both times (admittedly I did weight watchers to lose the last stone with my second). If you want to change, CBT will work.

Would the 12 step programme help any do you think? If so then you might want to see if there are any Overeaters Anonymous meetings local to you. My late mum had problems with binge periods and purging periods where she would swing from very overweight to very underweight. OA helped her a great deal. She eventually managed to live with the disorder and manage a healthy weight. Very supportive network with people who struggle with many different types of eating disorders. Some of the people she met became very close friends of hers, im still in contact with some of them even though my mum passed away 16 years ago. Either folk at the meetings or contacting the organisation might also be able to offer you advice re counselling services that are more geared to dealing with food issues.

You need Rob Kelly’s Thrive programme have a google.

Thanks so much everyone for your suggestions

I've tried counselling and didn't find it helped at all. I keep toying with the idea of joining an overeaters anonymous group but haven't managed to find the courage yet.