Psychiatrist said I binged - I disagree (tw)

[Plave]

So I have a history of eating disorders. I used to eat very low calories for long extended periods of time. Followed by a binge. I haven’t really followed this pattern for a few years. But it’s always a fight to resist the urge to cut calories which enviably leads to a one off binge iykwim. I was underweight for years as the bingeing never counteracted the effects of the non eating.

Anyway, I was telling my psychiatrist that I ate very poorly and it gave me feelings of shame.

My psychiatrist referred to my eating as a binge. I am very unhappy with his assessment as it is nowhere near what I used to put away )plates and plates of pasta). I have come down with a cold so was not sticking to my usual diet which is very nutrient dense.

I ate:

Beans on toast
Plain crackers x3

Triple ready made sandwiches
Half a grab bag of Walker’s crisps

Cornetto
Packet of McCoy crisps
Cocktail sausage

I am unhappy as it is just a normal day of not great eating. So for the psychiatrist to have referred to it as a binge in his report is extremely disappointing as well as inaccurate!

Everyone has days where they end up relying on convenience food.

Look into why its triggered her?

Because its inaccurate and incorrect!!!

This isnt on the OP, people have a right to be pissed off when someone misrepresents them, doesnt really matter what its about.

I think the types of food eaten without usual control would count as a binge day. But what I think doesn’t matter and from an outside perspective I feel you’re hyper focusing on a name for something that doesn’t matter. It’s a “hmmm, food for thought but no, I disagree with the professional’s choice of language” moment then move on and focus on something useful.

The types of food (lunch onwards) read as ‘treat food’ in place of meals, not sensible food. Could that be what was intended?

I would say it’s absolutely not a binge, your assessment was correct, low on nutrients and snack foods.
I think it’s not really out of the ordinary to have the odd day like that.

But to me binge=loss of control. Eating a few snacks for dinner when ill just does not meet that requirement imo.

Could you contact the psychiatrist and ask him to change the report as you didn’t consider it a binge? I suppose the word binge is totally subjective, but you could tell them how much this has upset you and explain why it’s important to you that it’s amended then go from there?

The thing is you are mentally unwell and he should be careful in his choice of language

To an outsider it doesn’t seem a big deal

There’s no harm in explaining you feel like his choice of words are inaccurate

But it might make the session tense so tell him a few mins before the end?

Were any of those binge foods for you or were you eating to control your feelings?

Its basically all cards and low quality food - do you have a pattern of eating shit food when you're not happy?

I think he has spotted something in your behaviour which he hasn't articulated to you.

But it comes across like you normally eat well, things aren't currently going well, and you've eaten poorly, which might be a cause for concern or something hen's flagging now before it triggers a full episode.

Hmmm I am so on the fence with this as I think he IS purposefully using the language of binge to frame this day of unhealthy eating for you in a way that stops you and asks yourself why would you treat yourself so poorly when food is (was?) everything. Your food choices are a a big part of you and I think he is referencing this to you as for you, usually so controlled. Is this an anomaly or is it something more?

I would sleep on it and take it in for a point of discussion for the next time.

I wish you well for your recovery.

Cant you contact him and raise the issue?

Thanks for your kind wishes

But that’s precisely what annoys me. It feels like every food choice I make is under a microscope, like I’m not allowed to just have an off day without it becoming a topic of analysis. Other people can eat in a way that isn’t perfectly balanced, and it’s just a normal day—no deeper meaning, no questioning. But when I do it, it’s suddenly a reflection of my past, my psychology, my control (or lack thereof). It’s exhausting because it makes something as simple as eating feel like a statement rather than just…eating.

I’m not denying that my relationship with food has been complicated, but that doesn’t mean every choice I make should be scrutinized or framed as significant.

I’m so over food holding such significance in my life

Are you triggered by the word triggered?

Op absolutely does have a right to be angry but she’s also angry at the therapist and the words used so should discuss why it’s made her feel as it has.

Quite a few years ago I had a psychiatrist . She wrote something that i felt was completely inaccurate reflection of what happened .

I wrote a letter basically stating my version and that I wanted it on file . It was . I don’t think she ever took my version of events but I did have my opinion on file

i think it’s a good thing to take some time to consider what you want from this .

drafting an email may just help you sort out your feelings , just give yourself 24 hours before sending it .

Described as a subjective binge, because you said you felt shame afterwards

Are you under the care of the psychiatrist for an ED or something else? If it's for an ED then are you also seeing other ED professionals e.g. nurse, psychologist?

Generalised anxiety and depressive disorder

Something popped out at me and just wanted to point it out in case you want to explore it.

Other people can eat in a way that isn’t perfectly balanced, and it’s just a normal day—no deeper meaning, no questioning. But when I do it, it’s suddenly a reflection of my past, my psychology, my control (or lack thereof

Those other people presumably don’t have an eating disorder history. (I’m not saying that to be hurtful. ). It’s the loose equivalent of an alcoholic saying “Other people can have a drink and not be judged on it, but when I do…”

I do think it’s worth exploring the feelings you have over this comment with your psychiatrist

Anyway good luck, it’s a tough road.

I wouldn’t see it as that
Unless you had been restricting for a long period then ate that. Or you ate it all in an hour

Last weekend my diet one day was a pizza - I was decorating, forgot to eat lunch and wasn’t really up for cooking

Hmmm. I think you’re being a bit contradictory here. In your OP you said you raised the subject of feeling shame for eating so poorly.

I don’t think you can therefore then complain about your food being the subject of analysis, as you’ve brought the subject up??

I also think your quite extreme reaction to what you perceive as an incorrect description is quite revealing. It might be something that’s worth reflecting on when the heat has gone out of the situation.

It’s fine to disagree with the use of the word binge. A more balanced reaction would have been to raise the subject directly, and to challenge the accuracy. Ask your psych for an explanation.

Instead, you’re raging and considering binning your psych permanently over his use of a subjective phrase. As PP have said - and as you identified too - it’s not a healthy menu. Maybe he viewed it as a binge because it’s so different t from what you usually eat? Maybe he thought he detected binge-type behaviour in your description?

Also, although overall you didn’t eat much, the description of crisps/ice cream/cocktail sausages all together sounds a bit binge-like. However, when you consider that was replacing an evening meal then less so!

I think this warrants a clear-headed conversation with your psych, but I would also say that the depth of your emotional reaction o er this suggests some very significant unresolved issues.

FWIW, I’m sorry this has upset you so much and I hope you find a bit of inner peace moving forward, whatever you choose to do 💐

I have had disordered eating my whole teen and adult life. I have also struggled with binging.

What you described is NOT binging, it is just a day of easier convenience food.

For him to use a triggering and loaded word that is inaccurate is highly unprofessional in my opinion.

From your posts and anxiety I would have a slight tinge of a red flag about you possibly struggling with/beginning to struggle with orthorexia.

Orthorexia is a very, very common pendulum swing for those of us who have struggled with binging and/or restriction.

He doesn't sound perceptive at all and I would be complaining. I also wouldn't let his labels affect you as you know that wasn't a binge.

For an adult woman the calories were probably on the lower side depending on your needs and it was also varied food which is another sign it wasn't a classic binge which in my experience is typically huge amounts of the same food.

It's difficult to trust our instincts when we have gaslit ourselves for years in an unhealthy way. We Know we used to do the wrong thing, so it is hard not to blindly listen to professionals.

I will also add, the other indicator for me that it wasn't a binge was the fact that your husband was involved and purchased the items for you.
You didn't eat in secret, you didn't hide anything.

You had a bit of a convenience day because you were sick and another adult was aware throughout.

Breaking these things down methodically will help you either trust yourself or recognise a problem.

Agree. Binging is a compulsion to eat usually large amounts of food, in a short time, going beyond the point of satiety and often against your wishes (but feel compelled). What you described is the ability to eat less healthy convenience foods in appropriate quantities throughout the day as a one off, and, until his comment, without any emotional issues. Which is actually a healthy 'normal' thing to do, and he had pathologised it with his language. For your ongoing confidence in him, it is worth raising.

It is a binge of convenience foods, but it’s explained by you being ill!
I think you are attaching negative connotations on the word ‘binge’ because of your history, when in fact in your shoes (ill), most people binge and think nothing of it.

Morning @Plave how are you feeling?

I was aware that this could be alot for you last night- hope you’re ok xx

If you're going to see him on an ongoing basis I think he does need to know,, if he can listen and take things on board that will be a good sign. The only thing i can think of is it possible he thought you meant 3 sandwich not one of those packs of 1.5 sandwiches. It's certainly not a binge and he should be being more careful of his language. I used to binge eat, if he genuinely thinks that's a binge he'd be totally floored by mine

When I was under the care of a psychologist, more than a few times she used smoking and lung cancer to demonstrate behavioural patterns/choice/self harm (something like that, can't remember exactly), and she only changed to use a different example when I explained that my Mother had died of lung cancer and so it was very hard for my to look beyond that fact into what she was actually trying to talk about.

Of course she didn't know, whereas your psychiatrist should know your background. But my point is the same - talk to the psychiatrist about the words they used, why it upset you, why you disagree. It will be worth exploring. They way they handle you raising it will hopefully enable you to see whether you can still engage with them. For how long have you been seeing this psychiatrist?
You've said you're not seeing them for ED support so I don't really understand how your eating was "assessed" as a binge.