Binge eating as a coping mechanism for anxiety

[daisytrousers]

I would like to know if there is anyone else who uses food as a way to cope with anxiety. I've started to binge eat as a way to deal with my heightened anxiety. It's really bizarre, almost like an act of self harm (I used to physically self harm in high school) as I eat until I am immensely ill. I binge to feel that sickly, horrid feeling. I just want to punish myself. My binge foods aren't even things I particularly enjoy eating. I've been known to binge on odd food items like brown rice or peas. Which is actually laughable when I think about it. I suppose that's the most difficult thing about overcoming anxiety, recognising and managing irrational thoughts and behaviours. Binge eating is seen as such a shameful and gluttonous behaviour that I fear talking to anyone about it and because I've begun to put on weight I'm just isolating myself more which feeds my social anxiety. The common vicious cycle. This is the first time I've spoken about my behaviour and was hoping that anyone who has experienced something similar would kindly offer some advice.

[dare2diva]

Hi there

Whilst I don't suffer anxiety, I have bipolar I, I do self medicate and my drug of choice is food. I am morbidly obese and I have been self medicating with food from a young age. The problem with food is that it is legal, we have to have it every day and bi golly, it can taste so good at the time that in that moment you feel good. Then the guilts set in and the self medication starts or continues and it is a cycle that is hard to break. It is hard to find another way to medicate. Walking just doesn't do it form me, I can't call my friends because I have pushed them away, I can't shop more than I have done so really food is it. I am looking at getting a surgical gastric sleeve next year. Only problem is that I need to find another way of self medicating before hand otherwise the surgery will be a waste of time and money. Not sure what I am going to do but I will wait until I am more stable.

Good luck with everything. I am sure that with time you will find another way of settling your anxiety but it takes time.

T

[The_Real_David_Charles]

Dear daisy,

It's a comfort to eat.    I'm often up from 2 - 3am and if I make a hot cup of tea it's only natural to have a cheese sandwich or finish off the quiche.  But then the excessive weight isn't natural.   I figure I walk off the excess when I take my dog up to 5 times a day.   It only gets to be a problem with me if I find myself driving to the 24 hrs MacDonalds 10 mins away for a Quarter Pounder meal at 2am.  Then I'm in trouble.  Sometimes I'm composing through the night which is great for isolation but, again, too tempting when there is half a pack of chocolate Tim Tams in the fridge.

I tried binge sex once but my wife reckoned I "couldn't" use her as a dummy.  At least the MacDonalds is available and doesn't complain.  As dare2diva said "The problem with food is that it is legal".

I watched an American show on over eating once and there were some sad cases.  The worst one was a female who "hid" food around the house so she wouldn't be able to find it...............kind of takes justification to a whole new level.  It seems that you have good awareness so get that balance if you can.

Adios, David.

[daisytrousers]

Thank you both for responding, I really appreciate your comments. Dare2diva, you're absolutely right, it is enormously difficult to break negative food habits because it's something you have to face every single day, on multiple occasions. My last binge was on porridge. What a strange thing to do. David, I know food can be a comfort but lately I've been using it as a punishment. It's a way to make me feel awful, I suppose to take the focus away from my anxiety. I seem to completely skip any feeling of elation and just mindlessly eat my porridge until my stomach feels poorly. I know I need to change my attitude toward food, I've started running again (or rather slow jogging that turns into a sort of shuffle after about half an hour) which I think is helping. 

Thanks again for your replies, it's really liberating to chat about my bizarre habits and read other people's stories. These forums are a great outlet.

[Nakka]

Daisy.

Ahh funny how I was just eating pizza as reading this... at 1am.

Iuse food also, while im eating I don't think,  the chewing is somehow calming if that makes sence?  I ttend to eat untill I am physically sick.. 

The thing is, I actually have no appetite, I can go days without food.. Ijust eat... well, because I can. Its always at strange hours too,  never during the daylight hours, but between midnight and 5am.

, Nakka

[Charl_rose]

I know this is an old post but I just found it and it is exactly what happens to me and I was wondering if you found a solution or anything that helped? daisytrousers

[nichollsanddimes]

Hi Charl.rose.

I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety nearly two years ago but have been binge eating as long as I can remember, but never understood the connection between the two.

I would binge on anything and everything, from a dozen apples in a sitting through to 4 pizzas at 3am.

Things I found really helped for me were:

- using a food and emotions diary: writing down everything I was eating, when I was eating it and what my feelings/general behaviour/demeanour was before and after eating the food. I also marked it as a 'binge' where I saw it that way. I felt this really helped me understanding what my triggers were (i.e. stress, tired, social pressure). Then when those emotions or triggers came up again I was very conscious of my behaviours.

- being mindful of my eating: making a big deal out of eating a tasty, nutritious meal by not eating on the go, on the couch in front of the tv or at my desk at work. I would set the table, cutlery placemats and glass of water and sit and enjoy my food, slowly and properly. This way I actually enjoyed the taste, and was conscious of 'being full' and the food in my stomach

One piece of advice, be really easy on yourself. It's a really hard thing to work through, especially when it's a habit you've had for a long time. Think about the relationship you have between your emotions and your food, and where you would reach for food think about other things that are satisfying for you to do (gym, coffee with a friend, a good book).

Take care of yourself, keep positive 🙂

[daisytrousers]

Hi there Chari.rose,

I was really reluctant to go on medication but my partner gently convinced me to see a GP. I've been on an antidepressant for about 18 months now. The change has been remarkable. Whilst I still get anxious and occasionally overeat, it's not accompanied by an overwhelming sense of self hatred and I feel far more in control of my behaviour. Of course mediation is not for everyone, I'm very fortunate as I've not experienced any side effects. I feel as if the medication helps ease the physical response to anxiety (heart palpitations, my blood felt acidic, dizziness, dry mouth, headaches, an empty and sickly sensation in my stomach) that used to make me want to drown it out by binge eating until I felt a different kind of ill, one that seemed to make more sense to me. I've also read 'Change your Thinking' by Sarah Edelman which is all about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and has really helped me identify and challenge my irrational and unhelpful thoughts.

I truly hope this helps, even if it just acts to remind you that you are not alone in your experience. Please understand that you are worthy of help and that things can change, although it will take time. 

[mesophiaanika]

Hi guys,

I have been eating for comfort, stress, boredom I think I also eat to feel something other then feeling depressed all the time for quite a while, when i do it is generally alot and generally chocolate and stuff i know i dont need, the thing is I know why I'm doing it I just cant seem to stop which really sucks because I really want to lose weight. I have read the posts on this topic and I have been to the doctor mutable time and he says the same every time go for walks because he knows I don't like to take medication unless absolutely nesasary. I try to walk but with two kids under 5 its well interesting and I generally end up more stressed then when I leave, I also don't really like to leave the house as my ex has friends up the road and I'm scared he may see me and do something stupid. Its also weird that I seem to be able to go long periods without eating and I don't get hungry or anything, last time I was like that I went 6 mths without eating its really odd mind you I had more energy lol I can laugh now. I would really appreciate any advice because I really need to get it under control if not for me but my girls 

[Runner_Matt]

I was just about to post a similar thread as this one! My experiance is one with depression and anxiety. When I feel very anxious I have craving for simple charbohydrates like biscuits and chocolate. I think it may have something to do with the seratonin prodcued by the brain when we eat these types of foods, but I am not totaly sure.

One thing I am sure of is that it gives me an initial better feeling and then I feel awful because I realise I have eaten a load of bad foods.