Mental Health, medications and motivation.

berrylovinggirl

Is there anyone else here that has chronic mental health conditions?

I have Bipolar II, Generalised Anxiety and Binge Eating Disorder/sub-threshold Bulemia Nervosa as well as fibromyalgia.

Im feeling super alone in my journey from fat to fit, I've only just started but I feel like I have no support. Does anyone understand what its lile to try and fight against mental health and medications?

Basana0909

You are NOT alone I have depression and anxiety have been struggling with it allmy life due to a mentally and emotional upbringing and found comfort in food so I totally can relate to what ur going through find support if U can therapy counseling I did a few months ago and it has helped me a great deal AND I Am soooo grateful for MFP Wow I cant tell U how much support from this site has given me it keeps me accountable and honestly when I’m feeling depressed and down and feel like i’m gettingO off track in my journey , I come here !!! Take it one day at a time leave it to God and YOUVE GOT THIS !!!! ❤️💪❤️💪💪💪❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

Omfrankie3

I have depression and anxiety and started taking antidepressants at the beginning of this year. I've gained about 30 pounds and so I'm working on trying to lose this extra weight... while also trying to stay in a positive mindset... when I used to deal with disordered eating. So trust me, I get it. UGH. it's tough but you do have support!! & I'm always here to talk if you need someone to relate to and listen to what you're dealing with/going through.

berrylovinggirl

Thank you guys so much for replying! It is really hard, food is my leaning post, my emotional crutch and its so hard. Im trying super hard to stay accountable. I am 1.5wks binge free and 2wks purge free, so I am super proud of that. Today I am super struggling and feeling the urge to binge. I've allowed myself to make some pasta for lunch, while its blown my calorie budget for the day a bit im trying to not focus on that too much. My regular psychologist has referred me to a specialist ED psychologist, so I am just waiting for an appointment atm.

Katmary71

Congratulations on your progress, that's great! Don't stress the pasta, doesn't sound like you're too far above goal so you may still be in maintenance or not much over. It's way better to allow yourself something than do severe restricting then have a major binge, sounds like good progress! I'm sure you'll get a lot of support from your new therapist. I don't know how she'll respond but my therapist (not ED) thinks calorie counting is a slippery slope, she's not thrilled I'm doing it. I'm on a medication that makes me super hungry-feeling all the time so if I hadn't counted I never would've lost or reached maintenance.

mfpphoenixx

I have chronic mental health issues chronic depression, anxiety, Andvsevere PTSD. I have many medications and some of them make I want to eat or make u gain weight. I also am clinically diagnosed with BED and I emotionally eat to feel good because I have little in life where I find pleasure or things that make me feel good. Looking for some support and accountability. Thanks

katermari

you are so not alone, i am a recovering binge eater.
i have also been struggling with anxiety and depression for 21 years! feel free to add me.

amy19355

I have to start every single day reminding myself that it is up to me, myself and I to stay focused on my fitness and eating goals.

The hardest thing to accomplish, that is also the most satisfying, is to replace an urge to eat food with some kind of physical activity. Even if all I do is wash a few dishes, or dust off the mantlepiece, or make a bed, or even just walk outdoors and circle the house one time, anytime I can push off the compulsion to put food in my mouth is a victory. THe more times I can look back at a delayed eating event, and accept that "I lived to tell", the more I am motivated to do it again the next time.

But, it is hard, no lie. I have to do a lot of talking to myself sometimes, and I fail some of the times. My goal is to succeed more often than I fail.

One day at a time. You can do it. SO can I.

good luck to us all.

berrylovinggirl

You guys are so amazing! Knowing I am not alone and that there is support out there from people who understand is so powerful.

Often times I feel super alone because so many people still dont understand Binge Eating Disorder, they simply think you lack will power.

I had another pasta meal today, I know I was emotionally eating and over ate. But I managed to keep enough control that it didnt escalate into a binge. Im balancing it tonight by having a nice light salad even though Im truly craving a big blow out on Maccas (when I say big, I mean big, multiple large sized meals and desserts). But I am fighting, I've told my partner and she is helping keep me busy and accountable. I gave her my purse and keys so I couldn't sneak off for a binge.

meagfitpal92

I am SO happy that I found this post- it speaks to me! I'm a 27 y/o woman with bipolar II, agoraphobia/panic disorder, and while not "officially" diagnosed with binge eating disorder (avoid those convos with doctor, so it's not in my chart), I am 350% confident that I suffer from it as well. It's so, so incredibly difficult, all of it, and my mental health can make it so much harder to stick with healthier life styles.

My medication makes me fat and lowers my metabolism (in addition to bad thyroid), and my obesity triggers my agoraphobia (feel like everyone is staring at me because I'm fat with a triple chin at this point), which triggers my binge eating (to cope with the anxiety/depression ), which causes more weight gain, which triggers my agoraphobia...and on and on for 4 years now.

And the "weirdest" part of my struggles with bingeing- I hate food and eating and meal prep. I loathe it and always forget to eat, and by the time I realize I'm hungry, I'm extremely hungry and can't bear to wait 20-30 mins to prep and cook, so I binge on whatever is quickest to make (or buy) and eat. And I hate having to take time out of my day to eat, so I don't do it- until I'm starving and eat like a beast.

I'm just starting out on a "live healthy-ish" journey now, and it's gotta stick- something has to give. I'm just about to size out of my favorite brands of clothing- Old Navy for tops and AE for jeans- and I've had to buy SO much clothing over last 2 years to keep up- went from a medium/size 6-8 a few years ago before I swung into major depressive episode, to a XXL-tall/size 20-22- constantly having to size up and buy more is making me broke.

UGH

IAmGainingHealth

I am here with you all.

I am most functional when I focus on meeting SMART goals and improvement.

kms375

I have major depression. Anxiety. Ptsd. Agoraphobia. Ocd. Binge eating. Anorexia and bulimia everyday is a struggle. I can’t even work because there so bad. But I’m working everyday to try and make it better