Trouble with binging

I don't puke, but i have a real problem with binge eating.  I just can't EVER seem to get satisfied, I want to eat until I'm literally physically ill and in serious PAIN. I have such an aversion to the grocery store, I avoid it like the plague, I get nervous thinking about what I'm going to eat next. I get seriously overly excited when I'm planning a dinner out and know I can binge on my favorite foods. I know this is all in my head, and I'm going to therapy, and hopefully will learn some tools to deal with this. I just feel so out of control and increasing anxiety over food. Also, 90% of the time, NOTHING sounds good, I'm hungry but I don't want to eat, does that even make sense?

Hey girl - that definitely sounds mental.  I'm glad you're in therapy for it because I think that's the only way to deal with this.  Not much I can tell you - I'm not a therapist.  But stick with the therapy and best of luck to you!

Binge and or Compulsive overeating is very difficult to overcome.  The compulsion can definately be controlled, but it stays with you forever.   I would suggest you go to Overeater Anonymous and hook up with a sponser ASAP - do the 90 meetings in 90 days just for intensive healing and support.  Read all the books pertaining to this issue (I'll get a list to you by tomorrow, but at least find a book to start with.). Best, Leila

Hello welcome to the board!!! I know how you feel! SERIOUSLY!!! I actually have recently become under control tho.  I used to get so excited when going out to dinner and what not because I would always think of all the things I could eat. I would binge in private tho...no one has EVER seen me binge. I could eat and eat and eat no satisfaction until that nasty pain of being so freakin full but wait give it 5 minutes to settle I could stuff more in face! Just awful.  I never went to therapy...and I never really avoided the grocery store but I still know what you're going thru! I don't recommend what I am doing to anyone really. I went to my doctor for prescription diet pills appetite suppressants which take away ALL cravings and effect the central nervous system (the brain) I have totally reversed everything I actually barely eat now days.  But I say keep going to your therapy....it will get better especially coming here and talking about things. Everyone has experienced something and can give advice!!! :)

I've taken phentermine in the past didn't do a thing for me, and I can't take it now, because I have borderline high blood pressure. That's exactly what I need, tho, those intense cravings to be gone

Oh boy, I just looked at your profile - you're having WLS.  I'd say to you do not do it until you are under some control with the binging.  This binging means something.  When your food is taken away there is no way that that behavior will not be transferred in some other area.  Also if you don't work on your behavior, you will do it again when your surgery begins to allow it and you'll unfortunately gain the weight back especially if you are going to do RNY.  Have you looked into the VSG/DS? Good Luck Sweetie.

Yes, I'm still looking at all my options.  It will be a while before surgery, I'm trying to work on all this stuff first.  Unfortunately, DS isn't an option for me. I want to lose some weight before surgery anyway, which is why I posted in this forum. I appreciate your support. I've considered OA, but it's not really my thing.

this sounds like classic binge eating disorder. sounds like you have completely disassociated from your hunger/satiety signals. keep up the therapy. what kind of therapy are you doing? have you tried DBT? ask your therapist about it - it has shown very good results for people with BED. if its as severe as you seem to be describing with eating till physical pain, it might be worth exploring specific eating disorder treatment (inpatient/outpatient). there are also a lot of good books out there - i would recommend just checking out the psyc/addiction section at any large bookstore like B&N or borders - here are two that just happen to be sitting on my desk: breaking free from emotional eating  (geneen roth - she has a few different good books) runaway eating (bulik and taylor - geared toward middle age women, but has lots of good info) meds is also another options especially if you have comorbid depression/anxiety - antidepressants - especially prozac (used often for BED becasue it helps with moods, impulsivitiy, compulsiveness) - anticonvulsants - topiramate and others - appetite supressants - sibutramine has shown some promise with BED populations i agree with what someone else said below - you definitely need to get the binge eating under control before you have WLS. those with BED who have WLS have less long term success and more physical/emotional problems afterward (addiction transfer, stretching pouch, regain). sounds like you need to have an honest conversation with yout docs about these problems and develop a comprehensive treatment plan before you focus on weight loss.

Thanks for your support.  I sorta feel like I've never really been taking seriously, regarding an eating disorder.  I always just get the feeling, everyone I talk to about it, just looks at me and says...."uh, you're just fat, stop overeating" I'm still in the initial stages, of therapy, have to go through referals and such and hopefully will be seeing someone that specializes in eating disorders and I hope to see a psychiatrist, as well, to possibly get on some meds to help me.

I would also suggest you start going to meetings of Overeaters Anonymous.  They have a program that will help you deal with BED, or binge eating disorder.  They also help anorexics and bulimics. Denise Phares/kitties4