Thinking of visiting GP for Binge Eating Disorder

[sohtrop]

Hi,

This is my first post here. I'm thinking of visiting my GP to get a referal on the mental health care plan to a psychologist. It's not the first time. This will be my 5th psychologist in 10 years.

I developed PTSD after a sexual assault and from that came depression, anxiety and binge eating. I've done a lot of work over the past decade, coming from not being so crippled by my depression and anxiety that I couldn't work or study, to being mostly free of the depression and anxiety and being successfully self employed. I even got rid of the binge eating for about a year and a half, but over the past 2 years it has been coming back and it's now as bad as it's ever been. I'm morbidly obese and sick of it. I'm an active person; I love travelling, hiking, kayaking, weight lifting... but my weight can interfere and it's so frustrating to me that I don't look like the person that I feel I am. I want to finally develop a healthy relationship with food and finally build a fit, strong and healthy body, before I end up doing permanent damage from being so overweight.

I'm nervous about starting again... the misunderstandings with GPs (one looked me up and down once and said "you don't look like you have an eating disorder") and the hit and miss nature of finding a psychologist (one said to me, a rape victim, "you're very pretty so I'm sure you'll get through all of this okay." WHAT?!)... I would also like to ask my GP if there are any options for medication in Australia (I know Vyvanse is used to treat BED in the U.S) but I'm worried about looking like a druggie asking for pills (even though I never do drugs or drink).

I'm not sure what I'm looking for with this post... welcome, support, encouragement, advice? I just felt like I needed to reach out.

Thanks for reading xox

[BballJ]

Hi sohtrop,

Firstly, welcome to the forums. Well done for reaching out and telling your story.

I am sorry to hear how you are feeling and the fact you had to put up with some very insensitive comments by GP's and psychologists. Not sure how they thought saying that would of been beneficial to you. Binge eating is an emotional thing as I suffer mildly from it too, not so much binge eating but if I am having a bad day then I feel only junk food can help me get through it, which is extremely unhealthy. I think tackling it with a psychologist is great, try to find one prior to going in who has dealt with this stuff before. You can do it.

Please, post back as much as you like, I am always happy to talk.

My best for you,

Jay

[sohtrop]

Thanks Jay 😊

I made an appointment with my GP for Thursday and have booked in see my old psych (one who was good) from early April. I figured she knows my history so I won't have to start totally from scratch, and I was seeing her when I started doing well for a year and a half so I figure she was good for me!

Do you think it's good for me to come up with a list of things I'd like to achieve? Kinda like a mission statement for therapy? One thing that's bothered me with psychologists in the past was feeling like I was just treading water and doing the same exercises which I find it hard not to be cynical about ("Imagine yourself as a leaf floating on a calm stream..."). I feel like having some goals for therapy, on a weekly basis and as a whole, will help keep me focussed and feeling like I'm progressing. Just not sure how psychologists feel about that sort of thing or if they like to keep it more open ended.

[BballJ]

Hi sohtrop,

Well done for booking the appointment.

I think a list of things you want to achieve is more than acceptable and I am sure your psychologist would like that you are going in with a plan. Even a list of things you want to cover off, writing them down helps so you do not miss anything and also gives your psychologist a chance to refer to them and ask you about them in case you do forget. I think it is great you want to set our goals, even if it is for yourself, that is ok too. I am assuming addressing the binge eating is top of the list?

My best,

Jay

[walkinganxious]

hi,

i know what you mean by the psychologist- its very unexpected isnt it. its something they shouldnt be saying especially in a counselling environment. ITS SUPPOSED TO BE HELPING.

Also, I agree with BballJ, well done on opening up.

IIve always had this strong urge to share my story but I sink back into the comfort zone or im so worried about writinig it out perfectly, I never end up posting it,plz know this is not your fault. This circumstances were out of your control. it was unfortunate you were a sexual assault victim. i think all your symptoms come from the event of the sexual assault. my mum watched this programme on saturday mornings called I think basilias garden or something. the old lady there says depression and anxiety are just signs you havent processed things- IN THIS CASE MEANING YOU HAVENT ACCEPTED THINGS.

Im sorry you were going so well and you felt like you went backwards. i know its quite a shock. The best thng you can do is take life slowly. just get through the next year, the next 3 years or even the next 5 seconds.