Please or to access all these features

Eating disorders

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Dont know where to turn for help as an adult with potential eating disorder.

7 replies

Foodrelapse · 25/03/2026 18:09

I had help as a young teenager for anorexia with binge purge behaviours. I weighed 6 stone 6lbs at 5 foot 4, but recovered and was a healthy 9 stone exactly by the time I was 17 years old.

Was around 11 stone 7 by the time I was 30 due to pregnancies and breastfeeding but I’m now 17 stone 9 pounds at 39 years old (still 5 foot 4 as haven’t grown anymore) with around 7 stone of that going on in the last 5 years.

I’ve got stretch marks, ballooned face and am always exhausted.

The “food noise” is constant. The binging is constant. Big family bags of crisps, family size bars of chocolate. I’m always thinking about food. Whether it’s what I’m having for my next meal, what snacks I want. Never actually feel hungry as I’m always grazing and picking at food and eat at meal times “just because”. Planning meals, looking at calories. My portion sizes are way too large and I eat until I feel sick and sleepy but can’t seem to stop it.

Even starting to affect what I drink too. Always obsessed with having a drink near by. Usually tea or Pepsi / coke. Always sweet and sugary.

Would something like this be classed as an eating disorder? Or just me being greedy and lazy.

I honestly don’t know where to turn for help now. I don’t want to do anything to risk potential relapse into my old ways but realise my current ways are not healthy at all either.

I really need to get better. For me, for my husband and for our children who are 11 and 17.

Thank you

OP posts:
Goodgriefdeirdre · 25/03/2026 18:17

You sound exactly like me. I had anorexia as a teenager and have binge eating disorder now. I don’t think you would get much help on the NHS unfortunately but you could see a private psychiatrist specialising in ED if you have private medical insurance or you can self-fund

Miranda65 · 25/03/2026 18:17

Try the website for BEAT www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk and they will have info and advice.
Obviously, if you're in the UK, you can also see your GP.

Foodrelapse · 25/03/2026 19:23

@Goodgriefdeirdrethank you and sorry you are struggling with this too.

I didn’t think there would be much help on the NHS as I know that even for children and teens help for this issue can vary so much depending on where you live. I couldn’t afford a private therapist or psychiatrist unfortunately but work use a mental health wellbeing app which allows you 10 free sessions with a therapist so that might be suitable I guess.

@Miranda65sadly I don’t have much faith in my GP, purely because we don’t have one permanent GP in the surgery, it is all locums and is now has the lowest rating the QCC can give it 😣 will definitely look at the beat website though, thank you

OP posts:
Goodgriefdeirdre · 25/03/2026 19:29

Yes, sessions with a therapist would definitely be useful. Hopefully, you can request one with ED training. Best of luck.

FinallyHere · 25/03/2026 19:40

Gillian Riley’s approach was life changing for me. Finally found a a way of eating which works for me, I’m finally at peace around food. Hope you find what works for you.

https://www.eatinglessonline.com/

FusionChefGeoff · 25/03/2026 22:48

I actually spent half an hour with ChatGPT on this exact issue yesterday and I’m going to keep using it to help me reset my relationship with food.

Based on a very lengthy history plus where I am now prompt, plus further discussion, it focussed on building me a structured and seemingly very overly generous meal plan for every day. 3 meals and 2 decent snacks. I’ve decided to basically have exactly the same breakfast and snacks every day with a very formulaic lunch where I just change the protein / salad a bit. This hopefully takes out a lot of food noise as I’m just repeating myself every day.

Try having a session with ChatGPT whilst waiting for some counselling.

MarthaBeach · 25/03/2026 22:54

I just came on here to say that in my county there is NHS help for binge-eating disorder in adults. I suggest you see your GP as a starting point, and if appropriate they will refer you to your area's ED service.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page