Can a constant binge eating cycle and being obese lead to depression

[notthreebad]

Since 2012 I've been clinically obese and in a cycle of starting a diet, then binge eating and saying to myself I'll start again tomorrow - or I'll start on a 'round' day like Monday. Never happens - if I'm not binging on calorific food on Monday night then I'm certainly doing it by Tuesday or at the latest Wednesday or Thursday. I did stick to a diet for 5 weeks, lost over a stone, but broke my diet due to having to drive home very late one night while tired and ate to keep me going and complete the journey. By the way, after I lost the stone, I was still in the obese category. I eat chocolate - even Easter Eggs in January, bread butter, fried breakfasts, lattes aplenty, fish, chips, sweets, lovely cakes with cream - anything goes!! - usually calorific. Thing is I always vow I'll start my diet on Monday - never do and now I'm depressed. I'm losing interest in work, I cried in work 'cos my life was better before this started in 2012 and I was a normal weight. I had friends then - no friends now. I've got a job and a nice place to live but my quality of life is very low. Can this sort of cycle lead to depression?

Sounds to me that you still haven't emotionally dealt with the things that happened and are using the food to punish yourself at the same time as disguising the bad emotions you are unable to process

Hi OP

No binge eating cannot cause depression. It can cause you to feel really shitty certainly.

Binge eating can however be a symptom of depression.

Don’t restrict yourself or tell yourself you’re going on a diet, this just reinforces the cycle.

Tell yourself you’re going to eat a little less than usual as you wish to lose weight gradually. No denial, no guilt.

Seek therapy if you can too - GPs can provide really helpful online CBT so covid19 won’t impact.

Good luck 💐