Need Help with Binge Eating Disorder/Emotional and Stress Overeating
Hello everyone! I am quite new to 7 Cups, but it's good to finally find a place to express myself. I have been struggling with binge eating and overeating for 4 years now, and recently my ED took a turn for the worse. After I had lost some weight due to health reasons, I started binging and not only did I go back to the start, I also gained a lot more weight than I began with. To be honest, my personal life has gotten complicated again, even more than during the first time I started binging four years ago; Over these four years I could control it, during stressful times more or less so, but I'd always find a way back to take control over it. However, now with anxiety being worse than ever, some of my longest friendships falling apart and an uncertain journey ahead of me, it's truly hard to control it. Food became such a comfort and a way of coping with all the stress, but I feel completely numb and powerless once I start eating, it's like feeling completely disconnected and disassociated from my body, I just eat and it's like I snap back out of "unconsciousness." Nonetheless, I truly hope that this platform will help change that because I really want to feel good in my body and more importantly maintain good health. Please do reach out and share tips for binge eating, and how to prevent it in cases where a person would like to maintain a good diet, a calorie deficit and work out, but also tips to manage emotional stress and not numb it with food. Thank you <3
@politeLake5664
Hi Polite Lake!! 🤍
Welcome to 7cups, and thank you so much for opening up and sharing your experience with the community. It takes a lot of courage to talk about something so painful and often kept private. I want you to know that you are not alone in what you are going through at all, and that you are so truly strong
It sounds like the overeating and binge eating have been happening for a long time, and that has probably taken a toll on both your body and your mind. You mentioned losing weight for health reasons. While I am not a professional, I know from experience that any form of restriction, even when unintentional, can lead to more bingeing. This can be especially intense for those of us who struggle with binge eating disorder prior too the weight loss. It sounds like the weight loss may have happened too quickly or without the support your body needed. When that happens, weight can naturally level out again as part of recovery. Please try to be gentle with yourself. I know how uncomfortable and distressing weight changes can feel
The thing about binge eating is that food becomes a coping mechanism, just like you said. It makes sense that things may have felt easier to manage during less stressful times. I am really sorry you are going through so much anxiety right now. When life feels overwhelming, that loss of control can definitely show up in how we eat and worsen our symtoms
If you have not already, I strongly encourage you to reach out for professional support. Alongside the support here on this app, it can make a huge difference. A psychologist can help you work through the emotions and anxiety, and a nutritionist can guide you in rebuilding a balanced, realistic relationship with food (if this is obtainable for you to recieve, if not there are plenty of support groups/people like us on this platform!!)
Here are a few tips that I thought of, that may be really helpful!!
--->After a binge or overeating moment, try to do the next best thing. It is easy to fall into the mindset of "I already messed up, so it does not matter what I do next." But it does matter. If you got a little ink on your favorite jeans, you would not go scribble all over them just because of one tiny mark
--->Journaling!! can help you understand your behavior and recognize patterns. You may start to notice which emotions, habits, or even people lead you toward a binge
--->Try to eat regular meals. Recovery from binge eating is really tough if you are restricting or dieting. A helpful goal is three meals and two snacks a day with foods that are both nourishing and satisfying
---> If you are craving something, allow yourself to have it!! For example, if you want a cupcake, plan to enjoy that cupcake. Do not try to suppress the craving, only to end up thinking about it all day and then possibly eating more than you originally intended
I have so much hope for you. I know how dark and discouraging this disorder can feel. It is really hard to feel confident or happy while stuck in the cycle of bingeing, but please remember that recovery is absolutely possible. You deserve so so so much happiness and health 🫰
@politeLake5664
