Help Emotional/comfort eating

[2messdup]

When my anxiety is stronger than my depression I eat stupid amounts and I've gained 2 stones in weight in the last 18 months, half a stone in the last week. I try waiting for half an hour when I get the urge to do it but that doesn't work. I've tried drinking a lot of water, using chewing gum, the standard grounding and distraction things but it doesn't work.
Have any of you overcome this problem? I know the real solution is to sort out my self loathing and mental health problems that cause it but therapy isn't going well and I'm under the NHS so I can't change therapists. And it's very hard for me to keep busy because my head gets really tired really quickly and I can't think straight after I've got through the morning. But I hate the way I look now and that's adding to my self-loathing.

 

[bob55]

I'm sorry you're going through this, i have not personally had any issue where i was eating alot, however, i have a cousin who has BPD and used to be thinner than an average person, but within two years she was unrecognizable due to wanting to eat at every chance she had, there came a point when her parents had to hide or lock away the food and snacks. it was only when she changed therapists that it was discovered that it was caused by a side effect of a specific medication that her previous therapist was giving her that caused the eating problem. The new therapist changed the brand and the problem went away.

I don't know if it relates to your situation, but i hope it helps in some way. its always good to get a second opinion, sometimes doctors promote specific brands and everyones body reacts differently to it.

 

[2messdup]

I'm sorry you're going through this, i have not personally had any issue where i was eating alot, however, i have a cousin who has BPD and used to be thinner than an average person, but within two years she was unrecognizable due to wanting to eat at every chance she had, there came a point when her parents had to hide or lock away the food and snacks. it was only when she changed therapists that it was discovered that it was caused by a side effect of a specific medication that her previous therapist was giving her that caused the eating problem. The new therapist changed the brand and the problem went away.

I don't know if it relates to your situation, but i hope it helps in some way. its always good to get a second opinion, sometimes doctors promote specific brands and everyones body reacts differently to it.

I have borderline personality disorder (plus cptsd, gad and autism) but I'm not on any meds other than diazepam prn. I've heard that certain meds can do that. Your words have given me a timely warning to check my therapist doesn't make matters worse by offering meds that might do that.

 

[Jepu12]

well binge eating is included as an example of potentially self-damaging impulsivity, which is a diagnostic criterium. i also have bpd and i struggle with the same problem, though i'm on different medications (vortioxetine and lamotrigine). basically, what i try to do is this: if i'm craving something, i eat a little bit of it to satisfy my brain, and then, when i want to continue eating, i quickly switch to some other food that is similar in taste (sweet or salty, depending on the food) but lower in calories. i go from chocolate to fruit, from crisps to peanuts or fried eggs........ i also love eating big portions of grain porridge or custard.
remember, volume eating is your friend.

 

[2messdup]

well binge eating is included as an example of potentially self-damaging impulsivity, which is a diagnostic criterium. i also have bpd and i struggle with the same problem, though i'm on different medications (vortioxetine and lamotrigine). basically, what i try to do is this: if i'm craving something, i eat a little bit of it to satisfy my brain, and then, when i want to continue eating, i quickly switch to some other food that is similar in taste (sweet or salty, depending on the food) but lower in calories. i go from chocolate to fruit, from crisps to peanuts or fried eggs........ i also love eating big portions of grain porridge or custard.
remember, volume eating is your friend.

Thats a great idea. I'll try that.amy thanks

 

[Forever Sleep]

I used to struggle a lot with binge eating. I found I couldn't trust myself with certain foods in the house. I also found it helped to identify which were my trigger foods. Cereal, bread and biscuits were bad for me.

Biscuits, I still can't resist. I'm ok-ish with individually wrapped cereal bars but packs of biscuits is a no-go area. Sad really because, they're one of my greatest pleasures in life. But- I'd say that's one thing- identify and eliminate the real problem choices.

I used to find that it was a dangerous cycle I got myself in. If I gave in to a binge one night, I'd crave one the next. It was extremely hard to break though. Sometimes, I would be able to put it off a few days but, the fight was exhausting. I think food cravings are the most cruel addiction- seeing as we have no choice but to eat and so many foods can end up triggering us.

Not sure if you starve yourself to compensate but, I'd say- that likely just leads to genuine hunger and, more binges.

I vaguely recall the book: 'Brain over Binge' by Kathryn Hansen helped me.

I'd say it's a little like alcoholism. I wouldn't say I'm 'cured'. But, I haven't really struggled with it for maybe 7 years. Now and again, I get the urge or, obsession over a certain thing. It happened the other day for an indulgent ice cream. I did actually relent and, it wasn't even worth it! It's sort of still lingering there as a temptation. I think I'm slightly safer from an actual binge though.

I'm so sorry though. When people describe it as being in the 'grips of an eating disorder', I think they're right. The degree of possession I used to feel over me was frightening and, so hard to fight.

 

[2messdup]

I used to struggle a lot with binge eating. I found I couldn't trust myself with certain foods in the house. I also found it helped to identify which were my trigger foods. Cereal, bread and biscuits were bad for me.

Biscuits, I still can't resist. I'm ok-ish with individually wrapped cereal bars but packs of biscuits is a no-go area. Sad really because, they're one of my greatest pleasures in life. But- I'd say that's one thing- identify and eliminate the real problem choices.

I used to find that it was a dangerous cycle I got myself in. If I gave in to a binge one night, I'd crave one the next. It was extremely hard to break though. Sometimes, I would be able to put it off a few days but, the fight was exhausting. I think food cravings are the most cruel addiction- seeing as we have no choice but to eat and so many foods can end up triggering us.

Not sure if you starve yourself to compensate but, I'd say- that likely just leads to genuine hunger and, more binges.

I vaguely recall the book: 'Brain over Binge' by Kathryn Hansen helped me.

I'd say it's a little like alcoholism. I wouldn't say I'm 'cured'. But, I haven't really struggled with it for maybe 7 years. Now and again, I get the urge or, obsession over a certain thing. It happened the other day for an indulgent ice cream. I did actually relent and, it wasn't even worth it! It's sort of still lingering there as a temptation. I think I'm slightly safer from an actual binge though.

I'm so sorry though. When people describe it as being in the 'grips of an eating disorder', I think they're right. The degree of possession I used to feel over me was frightening and, so hard to fight.

I'm lost with my words right now but your answer is super-helpful in many many ways

 

[Forever Sleep]

I'm lost with my words right now but your answer is super-helpful in many many ways

I'm glad. I hope it helps. It's really tough to live with- I'm sorry.

 

[Blue228]

Hi,
I have similar issues but have been doing a bit better lately. For me its mainly sugary foods i tend to go for. A combination of things have helped me

1. Trying to cut out excess sugars, even if only for a week or 2 and then reintroducing them slowly in moderation. (Also looking for healthy alternatives like fruit)

2. Making a meal plan for the week. (Including snacks). Means I don't impulse buy that much or buy unhealthy stuff because im hungry and don't know what to eat.

3. Distraction. Doing something else I enjoy whenever I get cravings. Writing, watching YouTube etc..


4. Not keeping packs of snacks in the house. I can't quite control myself with full packs of things so I seek out individual servings if I can.

5. Allowing myself something to eat and not being to hard on myself afterwards if the cravings get too much and I give in.


I also found I got withdrawal symptoms from eating less sugar which checks out as it is a drug afterall. So being kind to myself and telling myself it will pass soon whilst curled up in bed kinda got me through the worst of it lol


I hope some of this helps

 

[2messdup]

Hi,
I have similar issues but have been doing a bit better lately. For me its mainly sugary foods i tend to go for. A combination of things have helped me

1. Trying to cut out excess sugars, even if only for a week or 2 and then reintroducing them slowly in moderation. (Also looking for healthy alternatives like fruit)

2. Making a meal plan for the week. (Including snacks). Means I don't impulse buy that much or buy unhealthy stuff because im hungry and don't know what to eat.

3. Distraction. Doing something else I enjoy whenever I get cravings. Writing, watching YouTube etc..


4. Not keeping packs of snacks in the house. I can't quite control myself with full packs of things so I seek out individual servings if I can.

5. Allowing myself something to eat and not being to hard on myself afterwards if the cravings get too much and I give in.


I also found I got withdrawal symptoms from eating less sugar which checks out as it is a drug afterall. So being kind to myself and telling myself it will pass soon whilst curled up in bed kinda got me through the worst of it lol


I hope some of this helps

It does. Especially the thinking of sugar as a drug. But all of this too. And tbh knowing that others have this problem too helps me. xxx