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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to ask has anyone overcome binge eating disorder?

58 replies

Sadsoul18 · 19/03/2019 21:30

Hi,

I know this is such a personal question but I wondered if any of you have had binge eating disorder and overcame it.

I’ve had it for many, many years and my weight had yo-yo’d as a result. I want to stop, I want to not hate myself anymore...but I have no clue where to start.

Many thanks.

OP posts:
spaniorita · 20/03/2019 20:39

I'm "getting there". I have binged on and off since I was a child. You haven't asked for my story, but I'll give you it anyway.

My parents divorced when I was 8 years old. At that point I began to put on a bit of puppy fat - I was not obese, but not delicate little flower either. My mum decided that I should see a dietician (she had her own food/weight issues) and from that point on, aged 8 years old, I was on a diet. In the week when I lived with my mum, I restricted, but at the weekends, I went to my dads and saw my Nan who didn't believe in children being on diets and I was spoiled with food. In particular by my dad who was unfortunately alcoholic and bought me copious amounts of food to keep me occupied whilst he drank. And so it began, a nearly 30 year escalating cycle of restricting and bingeing. I am now morbidly obese.

About 5 years ago had quite an intensive course of cbt with an eating disorder psychologist, which helped me to uncover why I ate like I did, and she helped me to put in place some helpful techniques to stop me from bingeing - distraction techniques such as crochet, and I practice mindfulness too which has really helped. I wouldn't say I'm "cured" as such, I still definitely over eat, but it has been a long time since I've binged as such.

It's tricky to lose weight without restricting.

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 20/03/2019 20:41

I've never been diagnosed with it but it helps me to stick to a certain amount of calories on my fitness pal.If I don't I binge..

Siameasy · 20/03/2019 20:51

Might be a weird way of looking at things but I don’t think I am broken-it’s the food that is broken. I’m functioning entirely as I should be. The foods I was obsessing over (primarily crisps which started when I was about 8, eating bag after bag in secret and stealing in order to get more bags) are designed to be addictive and are inherently addictive. So of course if you eat a little you want more, just like a drug.

Salt, msg, the fatal combo of fat and sugar/carbs in one item which is rarely found in nature (most things are either a carb or a fat but rarely both). Sugar has mild pain relieving qualities. Gluten has opiate-like properties and so does dairy...and we beat ourselves up for having no controlHmm

Wauden · 20/03/2019 21:01

I read somewhere that it is very damaging to the internal organs and this scared me enough to stop.
I never have stuff in the house which would set me off.

ADHMeeee · 20/03/2019 21:17

I've tried to get help since 2006 when I starved myself and exercised so hard I got seriously ill. When I told the doc what u was doing and how much I'd lost in such a short time, his answer was "oh but look how well you've done" (I was obese before, because of bingeing). And as for trying to get help with the bingeing which is what I do more of, wow. There's been no support. I've had psychiatrists because of my mental health and have tried telling them and I've not been heard, at all. I'm currently trying to lose weight, I'm chronically ill now and have been for years and cannot do more than the odd walk. Swimming is too much for me unless it's in the sea and I'm having a reasonable day. I'm 2.5hrs away from the nearest beach now though. I need exercise in order to properly motivate the dieting but I can't exercise. And the docs don't give a crap. I haven't asked for help at the new GPs I'm at, because not a single one before has helped.

Original poster
Sadsoul18 · 20/03/2019 21:18

Thank you all so much for your replies. I know it’s such a personal subject.

I have tried so many things and the thing that seemed to work the best (although that was a few years ago) was following a very low calories diet. I only ate 1 meal a day and had meal replacement shakes the rest of the time. That seemed to stop the binges and even when I stopped the diet, my mindset had changed. I think I was just generally a bit happier with myself.

But that was ten...and this is now. I find myself eating huge bags of crisps and hiding the packets so no one finds them. I’ve recently started living with someone and wonder if that’s where my shift of thinking had come from. I’m aware of someone else clocking what I’m doing when I’m at home so when I’m alone, I binge hard.

Funnily brought, about 5 years ago I was referred for cbt from the go but because I was so weight focussed (I wanted/ needed to lose weight) it had limited success.

Thanks again for your replies, it’s nice to know that a) it’s not just me and b) it can get better.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sadsoul18 · 20/03/2019 21:20

Ps. Sorry for the typos. I blame my sausage fingers!

OP posts:
Rockmysocks · 20/03/2019 21:32

Not quite. Long history of severe eating disorders but now just occasional binges. First breakthrough was death of father, second breakthrough was first pregnancy. But still binge and still feel like shit and hate myself when I do.

SwimmingJustKeepSwimming · 20/03/2019 21:36

I have cfs and probable adhd which affects ability to organise and sti k to yhings. And im always tired.

It feels a viscious circle. Im 3 stone heavier than i was the day i gave birth :(

GoldenKelpie · 20/03/2019 21:50

Yes Sad, though was never formally diagnosed.

I stopped bingeing when I also stopped eating carbs three years ago (except above-ground veg and full-fat dairy).

Side effects also included 100lb excess fat loss which I still maintain today (a miracle).

It was very difficult to decide to stop eating carbs but I eventually gave myself a challenge to do it wholeheartedly for one month (the month of March 2016) and stop if I couldn't cope. It was incredible once the cravings disappeared. Wow! I will never return to carbs again.

I read a book called "Why we get fat", and it explained why carbs and highly processed (and hyper palatable) foods can be disastrous for people like me.

I wouldn't blame you for not wanting to try eliminating carbs (usual binge foods), Sad, but see if you can find a copy of the book I mentioned, it is by Gary Taubes. Have a read and see what you think.

There is hope. I was 52 when I found the answer for me. It is not too late.

Milliy · 21/03/2019 10:22

Sadsoul18 for me dieting causes bingeing. Depriving myself in anyway will bring on a binge at some point. Dieting, fasting, clean eating low carb etc, all diets and affect how we view food. Food is just food. It took years for me to get to the point where I stopped dieting. It's hard to stop. Hard to let go of the belief that this time and this diet will be the one. Starting off full of excitement and hope. Then at some point the binge comes because your mind can't handle the deprivation any longer. I started reading books and stocked up on all foods I love. Learnt how to eat when truly hungry (food actually tastes amazing when your really hungry) and stop when satisfied. I could always have more later if I was still hungry. Learnt to eat like those who have never had an issue with food nor dieted. I know if I even think about going on a diet now it will set me up for a binge so I try to be gentle with myself.

EmeraldShamrock · 21/03/2019 11:08

It is a complusion, I am sorry you are going through this.
Hypnosis and mediation can help, or surgery, drastic I know but Aunt was 22 to 24 stone forever, her and her DH had a gastric band she is now a size 12 for at least the past 5 years.

sotired2 · 21/03/2019 11:10

I've been working on this over the last 6 months and while I wouldn't say I've over come it completely I am loads better. Binges are further apart and I can stop myself mid binge and even stop myself starting one. I find trigger foods I have to avoid as once I start I cant stop (I can have them in the house for kids) I dont think I will ever be fully recovered form this but I am alot better than I was.

PeppermintPatty10 · 21/03/2019 11:57

Look OP, you have to get professional help. I spent a ton of money and at least a decade on alternative therapies before I finally went to my GP. The NHS method was the only one that worked. Please don’t spin your wheels any longer - this is serious and I suspect it is a large (and unwelcome) part of your life.

Milliy · 23/03/2019 09:52

sleepwhdnidie that thread you linked to appears to have gone cold.

Milliy · 23/03/2019 09:52

sleepwhenidie

JaceLancs · 23/03/2019 10:35

Never been a massive binge eater although I do have my moments - I do binge drink though - different to being a problem drinker/alcoholic
I’m now mid 50s and probably the healthiest and slimmest I’ve been for at least 20 years
Had to go gluten free due to IBS which then meant low carb really as I’m not keen on potatoes or rice anyway
I try not to have anything really bad I can binge on in the house
I always have in ‘treats’ to nibble eg popcorn, king prawns, tiny amounts of good chocolate, expensive alcohol eg a really really good whisky that I couldn’t afford to drink in large quantities
I even drink from smaller glasses
I melt chocolate and dip strawberries in it
I lost 3 stone very quickly but stuck at that and then regained 12-13lb of it so joined SW - like many others I don’t eat yoghurts mugshots etc and it’s mostly what I would eat anyway but the discipline keeps me going
I’ve now lost 7 stone 4lb and am less than a stone from my ideal weight

Supergrassyknoll · 23/03/2019 17:10

I've diarised mine to identify any patterned and it's completely hormonal.

I'm a bloody slave to my oestrogen/ progesterone rise and falls and am yet to work out how to control my urges 😕

snowpo · 23/03/2019 17:41

I've always been a binge eater. Bulimic when I was younger. Swung between eating healthily when I could keep it up to eating cakes for breakfast, 5 chocolate bars a day etc. Tried no sugar diet & did really well but then relapsed. Also had a diet coke addiction, 8 cans a day. I was worried about my teeth, diabetes. A few months ago someone on here suggested the Harcombe diet. Basically you eat as much as you want meat, fish, poultry, and veg for 5 days with small allowance of brown rice or porridge. But nothing else. Often people lose quite a lot I initially through retained water loss. The 5 days basically are intended to reset your system & get rid of carb & sugar cravings. You don't get hungry and after that you can introduce other unprocessed foods. I'm amazed how stopping the bread & bad carbs/ sugar has completely changed my diet. Not bothered about chocolate/ cakes etc any more. Feel much better, less anxiety. If I have a bad day I just stuff myself with eggs meat & veges next day. I see it as an addiction, sugars & processed carbs just make you crave more. Vicious circle.

Milliy · 02/04/2019 01:44

Interesting Instagram post.

...to ask has anyone overcome binge eating disorder?
SpannerD · 02/04/2019 01:53

No, ive got better and less extreme over the last 2yrs since diagnosis but not kicked that fat terror/food obsession instinct yet. Low carb def helps me.

Blondie1984 · 02/04/2019 02:04

Try looking at the BEAT website www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

LookAtThatCritter · 02/04/2019 04:05

I’m dating someone at the moment who I believe is struggling with this. He’s 23, in the army and super fit (think calendar style body). But he’s been making so many comments about how he’s fat. He’ll binge eat food then get mad at himself afterwards and put himself down.

Reading this thread with interest as I don’t know how to help

helsbubble17 · 02/04/2019 04:46

_Pay for Level 7 Early Years teacher in a Private setting? How much should I get paid?
I'm a qualified primary school teacher and have recently been asked to go for an interview as a deputy manager at a nursery.
I would only be paid term time. If successful how much pay should I negotiate? How much an hour? I have 8 years teaching experience in the Early Years

Frannibananni · 02/04/2019 05:20

No. Not even after wls.

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