Binge Eating Disorder and Lockdown

[DreamingofSunshine]

Is anyone else finding it very hard in lockdown? DH is here all the time do I find I have to be more sneaky about bingeing, and I'm avoiding shops as I'm immunocompromised so I can't get hold of food like I normally can.

I really want to stop but I find it so hard, and I get upset with myself as it should be simple- just stop eating. But I find it so hard and feel completely out of control with my cravings/compulsion. Add in the stress and anxiety of the situation and I feel even worse.

Please no horrible comments about how I should just stop bingeing.

Hi
Stress makes disordered eating worse. Trying to stop binge eating can make it worse. Can I ask why you yourself think you binge? For me I tend to eat more when i try and diet or even think about dieting.

Genuine question OP, as I don't understand binge eating, but won't this force you to stop or slow down, potentially helping recovery?

I don't binge eat but I used to have an eating disorder and my problem is that I just stop eating. I realised a few days ago that I'd lost about 9 pounds in the last couple of weeks and my clothes are starting to hang off me again. I was underweight to begin with. I have worked hard to break the psychological link in my head that food/weight equals bad, but still have the habit of forgetting that I need to eat, especially when I've got other things on my mind. I rarely feel hungry and losing the structure of work and school runs etc, I just forget food.

Now I've become aware that I'm slipping back into my old habits, I'm making more of an effort to try and add meals into my routine, at least one good solid meal a day in my case, and having a bit of fun trying to come up with interesting recipes out of what ingredients I can get at the moment. I'm wondering if it would help you to make up a meal plan for each day with filling meals so that you're less likely to binge? Maybe including foods like what you binge on in part of your meal plan, but making sure you really notice that you're eating them and enjoy the taste. Sorry this is probably bad advice. I realise we don't have the same issue. I just know what it's like to struggle with food. I did read about a book once that was recommended for people with disordered eating, and I think it was especially aimed at binge eaters. I will see if I can find it in my history as I googled it not so long ago when someone mentioned it to me.

OP I understand completely. All my ED coping mechanisms are based on having a plan and a strict routine and it's all gone out the window on lockdown.
Stress and boredom are also big triggers for me!
Is your partner aware and understanding? This really helps.
What's helping me cope right now: meal planning including snacks so I know what I'm eating and when.

In between my planned meals I'm literally guzzling litres of squash, herbal tea or coffee. It makes me feel full and the sweet flavour helps. I've also been napping a lot more and binge watching Netflix.

Another thing I've been going is telling myself ok you can have X after you've done Y - this being a task that takes 15-20 mins eg washing up, quick wipe down of the sinks / bathtub / vacuum 2 rooms. Half the time I don't want the snack after this.

Hope this helps