Binge eating

[JJ_K99]

okay, I've been binge eating so much for the past few days and I dont know why. I do usually eat more near my period etc but seriously I am eating to the point I am so uncomfortable and this never happened before. And this is terrible because I suffered from bulimic behaviours sinc e 2013 until very recently and I decided I dont want to do that anymore and refrain from it.... but this feels so shit and I cannot understand myself, I am so bloated, I feel shit but I've been just pushing food down and I just hate myself right now

[Sophie_M]

Hey JJ K99,

Thanks for reaching out and keeping the community updated on how you've been going. We're really sorry to hear that you've been binge eating and feeling really negatively towards yourself. We can hear that this must be really overwhelming to cope with after your recent struggles with bulimic behaviours, but please know that support is always available to help you through this difficult time. If you feel up to it, we think it might be really helpful to reach out to our friends at the Butterfly Foundation- who also have a webchat and a hotline if you'd like to talk these feelings through: https://butterfly.org.au/get-support/helpline/

Please also know that our Support Service is always here for you 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 if you're wanting a little bit of extra support tonight. 

We know how much strength it takes to reach out for support, so we are really grateful you decided to post here tonight and share what you've been going through. Hopefully a few of our caring community members pop by soon to offer you some words of support and wisdom, and please feel free to keep updating your thread on how you're feeling, whenever you're up to it.

[therising]

Hi JJ_K99

Can't help but wonder whether you're feeling somewhat exhausted or a little low in energy. In other words, wondering whether your body's craving 'fuel'. Might pay to get some blood tests done perhaps, to see if you're low in anything, such as iron, b12 etc.

Can remember when being treated for sleep apnea saying to the specialist 'I'm eating like a maniac, like a woman possessed'. She explained this was not an uncommon thing, as people who lack the energy restoration that comes with good sleep crave the energy from anywhere they can get it (high sugar foods, caffeine etc).

There's possibly good reason for the binge eating. Trust your body's trying to tell you something.

🙂

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi JJ_K99,

Thank you for your post and I'm sorry to hear about what you're going through. I can definitely vouch for The Butterfly Foundation (now just called Butterfly) - I've used their web-chat in the past.

As someone who has binged before, I think not understanding it is sometimes why we binge - because a binge is never about feeling hungry, but filling some kind of void that we do not like.

Hopefully therising could be right in that it's something really simple, but if it's not - do you know what's going on around that time? Or what happens before you start eating?

I hope that you're able to get some support, whether it's here, through Butterfly or friends/family/a therapist.

rt

[sunnyl20]

Hey,

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling so much right now. It sounds like you are feeling really awful and overwhelmed and stuck in a bit of a dark place. Bulimic behaviour can become such a vicious cycle and can be so hard to escape - it must have taken a lot of energy and drive to stop engaging in them. Was there anything that helped you previously during that time to stop yourself from bingeing/purging? (e.g. counselling, writing, distraction, going outside, self-care, watching a show/movie, calling or messaging a friend, listening to music, taking a shower, cleaning). As mentioned above, The Butterfly Foundation has a great helpline - 1800 33 4673 - and they may be able to offer you some support and direct you to some more resources. Their website is https://butterfly.org.au/

Please know that you are not alone in your struggle. Bingeing and bulimic behaviours are unfortunately quite common, but there is help and support out there. I really hope that you are able to find something that helps. Please feel free to reach out again. Take care.

[therising]

Hi JJ_K99

Another possibility could involve 'emotional eating'. With all this lock down business in Melbourne, I've learned the true meaning of being an emotional eater. Chocolate and Twisties definitely get me excited. Peppermint chocolate is another one. I know this is going to sound a little intense but I had a piece of cake yesterday that proved to be one of the most emotional cake eating experiences I've ever had. It was a coffee and caramel cake bought for my daughter's birthday. It smelt beautiful, it tasted beautiful, the feeling of that cream in between the layers of fluffy sponge delight felt so smooth and perfect on my tongue, the sight of it was spectacular. It was a multi sensory experience which led me to feel joy, happiness, excitement and peace all rolled into one. How's that for an emotional eating experience!

There's been such a serious lack of excitement in life lately which has really tested a lot of people. With us being deprived of many of our 'go to' forms of generating excitement or physical emotion during lock down, we may have been left craving excitement and longing to feel something and any way we can get it will do, such as finding it in food. Just a thought.

🙂

[Annewithan-e]

I haven’t been through what you have JJ_K99, but I too am struggling with binge eating.
I have been through a lot to lose weight and haven’t managed to win the war despite many battles. But things are getting on top of me and I’m struggling not to eat things that are making me really sick.
I wonder about what therising said about B12 and iron as I am extremely low and having B12 shots and iron infusions at the moment, coupled with severe lack of sleep.
...are you finding this as well?

Sorry I don’t have anything to add to help, but I hope you’re feeling better today x