Counseling

dancer33

My binge-eating problem is NOT getting any better, so I finally took the next step and called to make an appointment with a counselor to get the help I need. Has anyone else tried this??? Was it beneficial or do you still have problems?? (And I'm not saying I eat just a few too many potato chips at night, I've let it get wayyyy too far and out of control). I guess I'm just wondering what to expect when I walk into my initial consultation tomorrow.... It's so hard admitting that I have this problem!!

dancer33

My binge-eating problem is NOT getting any better, so I finally took the next step and called to make an appointment with a counselor to get the help I need. Has anyone else tried this??? Was it beneficial or do you still have problems?? (And I'm not saying I eat just a few too many potato chips at night, I've let it get wayyyy too far and out of control). I guess I'm just wondering what to expect when I walk into my initial consultation tomorrow.... It's so hard admitting that I have this problem!!

Fitness_Chick

My binge-eating problem is NOT getting any better, so I finally took the next step and called to make an appointment with a counselor to get the help I need. Has anyone else tried this??? Was it beneficial or do you still have problems?? (And I'm not saying I eat just a few too many potato chips at night, I've let it get wayyyy too far and out of control). I guess I'm just wondering what to expect when I walk into my initial consultation tomorrow.... It's so hard admitting that I have this problem!!

I think you'll be glad you made the appt., is it an ED specialist? If you can go to someone that specializes in ED's (eating disorder) you'll be that much further ahead. They'll be already in the field and have much knowledge in that area.

I see someone 2 times weekly...I was coming undone part way through what I"ve lost now...nothing particularly gruesome hidding in my past. Just needing to understand more about me now being out of my shell and be much more expressive like I used to be, much more outgoing like I used to be..and whoa a bit more sensitive as well at times.

Binge eating is covering up something that is unresolved, sometimes just something you need help sorting through. It can range from boredom, lonliness, fear of getting close to people, fear of what to do when you've reached a certain weight... well, a different reason for everyone trying to lose/maintain.....and many of us have multiple reasons.

I am SO Proud of you Dancer for making the decision to go....I imagine the first consultation will be mainly getting to know info from you....you are able to ask anything thing you want of a therapist, like appt. times available in between times you go, phone calls, can you make them when you're in a panic and need to get advice......etc.

I would try hard not to worry, hang on more to the idea that you are now seeking help to figure out the underlying cause of the binge eating. It might be something such as pressure etc., but really only you and her/him can figure that out. Sometimes it only takes a number of times to work through what's going on and what steps you can work on to improve the situation...sometimes you might want to continue seeing them longer term, usually determined between the both of you as time goes on.

One thing I suggest is be very open about what is going on....if the first words out of your mouth are :I'm so embarressed about this, it's hard to admit".....well then so be it. What a perfect place to begin.... :drinker:

It is tough when we have to admit a problem, but admitting it as they say truly is the first step, ok, well actually awareness of the problem is the first step, now you are planning on working on it:flowerforyou:

Gonna close now as I don't want to write 2 chapters:bigsmile: ...but feel free to PM if you'd like to chat. Try not to worry, I think in the end you'll feel much relief when you get to the appt. time and meet the person and chat abit.

Keep in touch,
Nothing but the Best to you:flowerforyou:

NewMK08

Oh my goodness-Props to you for getting the help you need. I KNOW I need ED counseling, but I don't have the money to pay for it. I went for a while back in HS, but of course my parents were paying for it back then. I am so ready to take the huge step leading to the help I need, I'm just not financially able right now. Any ideas? Does anyone know if insurance will help pay for counseling sessions??

Good luck with your consultation tomorrow! Maybe you will be able to share some wisdom with me!

Fitness_Chick

Oh my goodness-Props to you for getting the help you need. I KNOW I need ED counseling, but I don't have the money to pay for it. I went for a while back in HS, but of course my parents were paying for it back then. I am so ready to take the huge step leading to the help I need, I'm just not financially able right now. Any ideas? Does anyone know if insurance will help pay for counseling sessions??

Good luck with your consultation tomorrow! Maybe you will be able to share some wisdom with me!

Of course depending on what type of insurance you have....absolutely!

Your co-pay will be higher than a regular GP one as the government still is in the dark ages regarding that sort of thing. Most states that pay it's 50/50 where as a regular doc is 80/20 or 70/30.

This all of course will hinge on what state you live in, what your personal insurance covers etc.

If you're a student, you can go to the health clinic and they normally have some pretty awesome ED groups you can join often at no cost or sliding scale.

Many hospitals around here have support groups etc. for ED's. A, B, or OE.

Grab the phone book, check in with your doc, clinic, your insurance company rep etc.

Best to you as well...I do hope you find you are able to get back to a support group or a private therpist again:flowerforyou:

DjBliss05

I have had issues with binging for a long time. I can't say I will ever be completely over it, but I have learned to control them over the years. I have been in counseling for a variety of reasons, but stay in it currently to keep working on my problems with food.

I have DEFINITELY found it helpful. In fact, I don't think I would have been able to really lose weight without it. I agree about going to an eatting disorders specialist. All mental health practitioners have different perspectives and someone that knows how to address your specific issue is your best bet. People that specialize in addictions or trauma could also be helpful (depending on your situation) b/c they are all connected.... try to find ED counselor first though.

I personally needed to try losing weight from a place of really loving myself and knowing I deserve it. It took me a while to get there, but it is changing everything now that I am much closer to that place than I ever was before. Binging is really not as much of an issue for me at this point. I still have my moments. I would also recommend getting the book "Why Weight?". It is kind of a journal and might help you take a look at your current attitudes about your weight.

Give it a try! If you don't like your counselor... find another and try again! I wish you lots of success.

Phoenix_Rising

Dancer, I am so proud of you for taking the steps to see a counselor and also posting on here. I know my overeating has ALWAYS been my issue with being overweight. I work dilligently to control my eating, trying to break the bonds of stress and boredom dictating my eating. I've often wondered if counseling would help me. I think I've gotten a hand on my eating issues, but I have sooooo many other issues that are therapy worthy!! Personally, I think every single person on this planet would benefit from counseling. We all have issues with one thing or another in our lives, issues that we need professional direction on how to properly work through or even just to resolve and feel validation. But girl, I am damn proud of you. They always say with any problem that the first, and biggest step of them all, is recognizing the problem. You are on your way to getting control over your life back!!!

songbyrdsweet

I haven't seen a counselor for an ED before, but I have been seeing one regularly this semester to deal with my anxiety. My boyfriend noticed a big change in my personality and recommended it. Lately I haven't been going because I have so much other stuff happening, and my anxiety levels are through the roof. The best advice I can give in light of my poor choice is to stick with it!!! Even if you are feeling discouraged or busy or just like you don't want to open up that day...go anyway just to talk. Sometimes I don't even address real issues, I'll just go in and complain about my week and cry because that's how my body releases tension. It takes a lot of courage to ask someone else for a hand every once in a while, but it's worth it. Self-growth is the best investment you can make (in the words of Steven Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People hehe).

songbyrdsweet

Oh my goodness-Props to you for getting the help you need. I KNOW I need ED counseling, but I don't have the money to pay for it. I went for a while back in HS, but of course my parents were paying for it back then. I am so ready to take the huge step leading to the help I need, I'm just not financially able right now. Any ideas? Does anyone know if insurance will help pay for counseling sessions??

Good luck with your consultation tomorrow! Maybe you will be able to share some wisdom with me!

Most work places offer free hotlines. I went to counseling for two months for free when I was in HS, and by the time we needed to start paying, my issues were resolved. Insurance almost always covers things like this.