How did you know you had BED?

What is the diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder? How did you know you had it? Does treatment help you? Thanks!

The diagnostic criteria is listed on the Wiki page. I knew I had it because I meet every single one of the criteria listed. The only FDA approved medication is Vyvanse and it has been a total game changer for me.

Gwen, does it make you jittery or "speedy"? What about sleep problems? Does it keep you awake?

Nope, it doesn't make me jittery or speedy. It's got a slower action time which reduces that issue and also makes it hard to abuse the way other ADD meds can be abused.

I have zero issues with sleep as long as I take it 12+ hours before I plan to go to bed. I tend to take it around 10am these days and have no problem getting to sleep by 11pm.

That sounds great. Sleep issues would be a deal breaker for me.

I've battled insomnia my entire life, so I totally understand that concern. I had started taking Vyvanse when I woke up, since I was worried about the sleep issues. So I'd take it between 7-8am. But then I found that I was slipping into old patterns around 9pm. When I talked with my psychiatrist about this, she suggested that I should take Vyvanse later in the day. I expressed my concern about sleep issues and she explained that the half life for Vyvanse is about 12 hours, so as long as I'm taking it 12 hours before I want to sleep, I should be good to go. So I pushed it from 7-8am until 10am and I haven't had any issues with that.

Oh. And I used to think it made me SUPER chatty in the morning after I took it. Turns out that, no, I'm just super chatty in the morning. Can't blame the med.

Did your surgeon prescribe the medication for you?

No, that's really outside the scope of his practice. I initially tried to find a psychiatrist, had no luck with that, so got my diagnosis and medication from my PCP. Then I managed to find a psychiatrist and now she manages my medication.

I am pre-op, starting the process towards weight loss surgery.

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I have BED and am currently in treatment for it. I am still struggling. I have good days and bad days, good weeks and bad weeks.

The main reason I was diagnosed with BED was I used food as a coping mechanism, and indulged in large amounts of food in a short amount of time. I would feel guilt and shame afterwards.

I did an 8 week intensive outpatient program and am currently seeing a therapist weekly. I am not cured, but I have a much better handle on my behaviors and recognize when I am using food to cope.

I know it may be controversial to pursue WLS when I have BED. But I really feel that my psychiatric treatment along with the surgery as a tool will help me.

I would definitely reach out to a therapist or a support group. Knowing you're not the only one who has these behaviors is very comforting. The secrecy of it is what gives the disorder its power.