Binge Eating Disorder

thatfitgeek

I have been doing some research and think I may have BED (Binge Eating Disorder). I plan on making an appointment on Monday with a professional and investigating to see if I have it (and if I do, taking the proper steps to get help) but I was wondering if any of you have it (diagnosed or undiagnosed). What are your triggers? When do you get triggered? How have you dealt? Have you told your family (my Dad is a psychologist and I think he will be very supportive but my Mom thinks ED's are bull and don't exist)? How did they take it? How has your life changed once you confronted it? How did you confront it?

I know that that is a ton of questions but if you only answer one, I will be forever grateful. I am actually excited (I don't know if that's the right word but for lack of a better one) to know about this, even if I do not have it. I want to be in control of my life again and not let food and negative body image keep me from being the best I can be. So just the possibility that it isn't all in my head and I am not alone with this is just wow (again, for the lack of a better word). I want to become educated on this issue and would appreciate your two cents. Thanks for your time and sorry for droning on and on(:!

~HOUSTON

soupandcookies

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It just plain sucks. Here are some answers to your questions.

What are your triggers? Sugar, evenings (I tend to binge at night), being alone, grazing/snacking (I tend to go on momentum, once I start mindlessly grazing).

When do you get triggered? Only evenings, and when I'm left alone in the evenings

How have you dealt? therapy, OA, Brain Over Binge (great book, but oversimplified, in my opinion). Recovery is a lot of work, but worth it.

Have you told your family? How did they take it? My parents were supportive, but I think they didn't think it was as big a deal as I thought/think it was. My dad also struggles with BED, and I don't think he believes recovery is possible. I rarely, if ever, talk to them about it (but I'm much older than you, at 35, so I don't have to be with my parents that often).

How has your life changed once you confronted it? I am actively recovering, rather than just PLANNING my recovery and overanalyzing my ED behaviors. I still struggle with urges to binge (though I am really learning to ignore them), and I do have issues with binging, once in a while, but for the most part, I am in a much better place. I'm not sure I will ever be "normal" with food (if there is such a thing), but I am in a peaceful place.

How did you confront it? I started with therapy. It did not help me (I don't think). It was worthwhile, but it didn't help me with recovery. I then went to OA. That helped me, but it ended up not being a great match (I can get into this more, if you are at all interested). I may go back at some point, but right now, it doesn't feel right. I am currently part of a support group, for people with ED's, and it's helpful, but really the power to recover has come from within. You have to not only WANT it, but be WILLING to do what it takes, to get there. I think that everyone is different, in what works for them. If you are serious about recovery, you may need to try several things, in order to find it. You will need to take risks, change your thinking, and be willing to change. I think a lot of people WANT to recover, but they don't want to change anything. I start every day, asking myself, "What am I willing to do today, for my recovery?" I take it one day at a time.

I hope you find what you are looking for! I do believe recovery is possible!