Does compulsive overeating count as self-harm?
I have almost no addictive or impulsive behaviors aside from this one. Some days, I am able to eat 3 normal meals and a snack or 2 if needed. Other days, I can't stop myself. And it's not necessarily on days when I am emotionally upset. In fact, I've purposefully isolated myself to avoid drama and upset. I don't have physical or emotional anxiety, but it's almost like I have "thought anxiety," where I'll have intrusive thoughts, replay scenes over and over in my head, and analyze things that happened years ago. But I still don't see a connection between this and my eating.
I really do feel like a loser, though. I have given up on associating with people because they are mostly hurtful, and the rest are just irritating. Is it possible to have a worthwhile life while being totally alone? I did sign up to volunteer at a cat rescue organization. That's one of the few things that I care about.
I'm not sure if I'm making any sense. I know this is kind of all over the place. I just don't know why I can't control my eating anymore. I was always an obsessive dieter, had a few bouts of mild bulimia, and my weight has fluctuated over the past 20 years since I was in college. But I'm embarrassed that I just don't seem to care anymore.
Oops... I didn't see the Eating Disorders section. Sorry about that.
Hey, I have a compulsive eating disorder. It is SO hard. People recommended a book to me. I will mention it here just in case you might like to check it out. The book is called Brain over Binge by Kathryn Hansen. She talks about how she overcame it. Many people seem to find some relief with her method. Even if they do not have the extreme success she had. I do hope you can find relief. Personally I know how exhausting and overwhelming it can be. From my own perspective
Thank you SO MUCH for that recommendation. The book sounds exactly like what I need. I'll never fix all the mental/emotional problems that I have, but I do feel like my eating problem is mostly separate from that and can be treated regardless of the other stuff. I'll keep you posted! Good luck yourself in the meantime... I hope you have some successes over the next few days. :)
Hi Hi! I am new here but your post just spoke to me. I feel like I may be the same way. I won't be hungry but I am compelled to eat. And when I do eat and get full, I just feel compelled to eat more.
On days where I am emotionally blah, I feel compelled to eat even more. Its crazy!
And I have intrusive thoughts too. Images, memories, phrases, comments, etc that just randomly appear in my mind. I guess the best way to explain it is, I am thinking of puppies and kittens for a good long time then a duck appears and it won't go away. Just 'quack-quack'ing its way into the forefront of my mind and kind oftaking over a moment. Finally, it will leave and I go back to thinking about puppies and kittens but then it comes back!
I hate it.
Anyways, have you tried that book previously mentioned? If you have, would you recommend it?
Sorry if this post is long. I am kind of gabber in real life too.
Hi! Thanks for your reply. It makes me feel less random. My post really kind of veered off in the middle there. I'm not quite that nutty usually... :) I didn't think your post was long! And hey, that's what we're all here for--to get it all out! Especially in the hopes that it might help someone else!
The quacking duck is a great visual. I've gotten better about distracting myself during the day and ignoring the duck. But when my head hits the pillow at night, there's nothing else to focus on. My thoughts keep me awake at night. Have you found anything helpful?
I haven't bought the book (above) yet, but I did read a sample of it on Amazon. It sounds really good. I felt a lot better just knowing it was possible for my eating NOT to be related to feelings. I honestly think, despite my multiple issues, that the eating is just something to do--a form of entertainment since I don't have anything to do with people and have a lot of spare time. Plus, because I'm poor, I can justify spending money on food, so I spend it on the fun and tasty stuff.
And there are so many fun and tasty things out there! Ha ha. Makes it harder, I think.
Sleeping at night is a wonder for me. Between the odd hours I work and the hot weather (anything over 69 degrees is hot to me), I have a huge difficulty sleeping and staying asleep at night. My doctor prescribed me Xanax and recenty I had to double the dose to get me mellowed down to sleep.
It doesn't always work though and I try to not use it but... I just can't get out of my own head. And that duck just loves to quack away all night and day. Its all a journey, thats for sure.
Duck quacking. Ha, that sounds great. I think of it as the food craving monster. So I like your image a lot. But I do think the woman who wrote the book has a good idea about it being the lower part of the mind. And not something that has to be worked through in therapy. That feels right to me. Maybe its not right for everyone. Also she has a small forum set up on a website where people who are trying to work with her book can communicate. I do not know how active it is. But hey, it might be worth a shot.
I belong to a website where people who have compulsive eating problems can go to get support healthfullylosing weight and then healthfullymaintaining. Thats actually where I heard about the book.
May I ask what the website is?
Sorry, Bea. I just saw this question. The name is kinda funny, Its called3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community I find that there is something for everyone (who is interested)there.
I believe it can. I have both starved and overeaten to hurt myself, to numb my feelings or feel like I have gotten the punishment "I deserve".. At times, I even just eat junk food, because I have in that moment the strong belief that I don't deserve to have nutrients.
OMG... This is like I was talking. I have the same thing. I can't stop my mind. I'm am at least 40lbs. Over weight. I know how to eat and most days good but maybe this is why I can't lose. I have days gorge.
Emotional overeating counts as self harm, and it is unfortunately still not always considered an eating disorder or a form of self abuse, but it definately is. To me, self harm means anything where you are the one causing pain to yourself. I used to overemotionally eat, from childhood to early 20s, whenever I felt anxious, so I understand. Please consider going to a therapist on a regular basis for any traumatic experiences you may have experienced, no matter how long ago it happened. Love to you.
I think I finally found a place that fits. Not sure whether to be happy or sad about that