How to support a binge eater

[Drewname]

My DW is the most special person, she's funny, kind and always putting everyone else before herself.

Since we got together 13 years ago, she has been quite upfront with me about her struggles with bullimia and binge eating.

We chatted recently about it and she told me she felt demotivated and tired, and she was regularly turning to binge eating. It's so hard to know what to say in response to this. I have to get up at 3am for work so am in bed pretty early but I usually hear her downstairs during the evening grabbing chocolate from the cupboards. I want to support so much but really feel unable to. Any ideas? She is a wonderful wife and mother and I hate to think she's suffering.

[TreesAtSea]

As this is a long-standing problem, your wife needs help from eating disorder specialists.

The binge and purge cycle will be putting strain on her body and playing havoc with her emotional health. She probably feels that she has it under control, that it's just her way of coping. In truth she is ill.

The fatigue and lack of motivation she has will be worsened, not reduced, by what she is doing.

Having an eating disorder is a living hell and consumes every waking thought of the sufferer. But in most cases they can be overcome. While your love and support will be invaluable to her during her recovery, please don't feel that you should be able to somehow "fix" this on your own.

Best of luck to you both.

[LadyMcLadyface]

I found this podcast helpful: brainoverbinge.com/

[GhostBridezilla]

Not having treats In The house won’t work. She’ll just keep her stash private. It adds more shame by it not being allowed.

encouraging her to keep talking. The reason we eat our feelings is because we don’t have the words to explain how we feel. Is she having any therapy?

[DarkChocHolic]

could you agree to not have any treats in the house?
If she does want help that is!
Often the call for help has to come from within.
I agree its very hard to watch from the side.