Dealing with binge eating disorder: Any advice?

Emily Hayes said:Look, it wasn't an overnight fix. It took years.

Even after I finally managed to get my binge eating under control, I was still left dealing with all the fallout from those habits. I had to tackle the aftermath, too. Honestly, though, that part wasn't nearly as grueling because I’d already done the heavy lifting on the psychological side of things.

So, how did I actually pull it off?
I wish I could just hand you a step-by-step guidebook or a foolproof recipe for success, but I don't have one 🙂
What I did was dive headfirst into a mountain of books. I spent a lot of time deconstructing my own fears and insecurities, looking them right in the eye instead of turning away. I started mapping out the specific triggers—those exact moments that would send me spiraling. Once I recognized the pattern, I stopped using food as a way to numb my feelings or punish myself. Instead, I started pausing to actually process the impulse and deal with the root cause.

It was a long road. But over time, my awareness grew. I started catching those red flags earlier and earlier, and eventually, the urge to give in lost its grip on me. I truly believe having a professional therapist by my side would have made this journey so much smoother, but back then, I was young and didn't even realize that kind of support was an option. Plus, I grew up in a circle where mental health stuff was treated like something you only see in Hollywood movies, usually as some dramatic plot point involving a character in a torn shirt 🙄

😁

Emily Hayes said:Look, it wasn't an overnight fix. It took years.

Even after I finally managed to get my binge eating under control, I was still left dealing with all the fallout from those habits. I had to tackle the aftermath, too. Honestly, though, that part wasn't nearly as grueling because I’d already done the heavy lifting on the psychological side of things.

So, how did I actually pull it off?
I wish I could just hand you a step-by-step guidebook or a foolproof recipe for success, but I don't have one 🙂
What I did was dive headfirst into a mountain of books. I spent a lot of time deconstructing my own fears and insecurities, looking them right in the eye instead of turning away. I started mapping out the specific triggers—those exact moments that would send me spiraling. Once I recognized the pattern, I stopped using food as a way to numb my feelings or punish myself. Instead, I started pausing to actually process the impulse and deal with the root cause.

It was a long road. But over time, my awareness grew. I started catching those red flags earlier and earlier, and eventually, the urge to give in lost its grip on me. I truly believe having a professional therapist by my side would have made this journey so much smoother, but back then, I was young and didn't even realize that kind of support was an option. Plus, I grew up in a circle where mental health stuff was treated like something you only see in Hollywood movies, usually as some dramatic plot point involving a character in a torn shirt 🙄

I suppose I am making some headway in that regard. I’ll likely only seek out professional help if things take a turn for the worse, since my previous experiences with psychiatrists here in the States haven't been particularly helpful... nothing they did really seemed to stick.

Look, I know it felt like it dragged on for an eternity, but honestly? Those were some of the most rewarding years of my life. 🙂

Steven Hall2 said:😁

I suppose I am making some headway in that regard. I’ll likely only seek out professional help if things take a turn for the worse, since my previous experiences with psychiatrists here in the States haven't been particularly helpful... nothing they did really seemed to stick.

If you aren't feeling a connection with your psychiatrist, it just means you need to find a new one.
It doesn't mean you should throw the whole idea of therapy out the window. 🙂

Hey everyone. So, I’m dealing with this binge eating thing too... Honestly, before I scrolled through your comments, I thought I was the only one completely obsessed with food. It's constant. Just thinking about my next meal or telling myself, "Fine, I'll just stuff myself today so I can start fresh tomorrow."

It isn’t that I’m constantly plotting my next meal, but when those waves of anxiety hit, I tend to eat my way through them. It’s how I deal with the nerves and the sadness...
Some days feel manageable, while others just spiral downward again.

Steven Hall2 said:Binge eating disorder is the clinical term for a specific type of eating disorder defined by recurring episodes of overeating, though unlike bulimia, it doesn't involve the compensatory behaviors like purging or using laxatives to manage weight... People struggling with this often describe an overwhelming sense of losing control during these episodes, which inevitably leaves them spiraling into intense feelings of shame and guilt.

I suspect I might be dealing with this myself.

Whenever I’m stressed out, I find myself constantly raiding the pantry and just devouring everything in sight. Is that what we're talking about here? 😁

Ethan Richardson3 said:Whenever I’m stressed out, I find myself constantly raiding the pantry and just devouring everything in sight. Is that what we're talking about here? 😁

I suspect that isn't quite the case...
You’re just avoiding the work, and honestly, I do the exact same thing... but it happens far too often for it to be a mere slip-up, which is where the real trouble lies, and despite my best efforts, I can't seem to break the cycle... I’m not being irrational about it, even if I am fully aware that this isn't exactly the most productive way to live... 🙂

I’ve been trying to cut back on sugar lately, but honestly, my cravings for chocolate and pastries are relentless—it feels like an uphill battle I can't win. My go-to move is just buying a massive Hershey’s bar to devour all by myself. And don't even get me started on people dipping into my stash of cookies; it drives me crazy! I haven't actually relapsed yet, but I'm seriously considering it, especially since I'm getting uncomfortably close to that 200-pound mark.

Jeremy Thomas5 said:I’ve been trying to cut back on sugar lately, but honestly, my cravings for chocolate and pastries are relentless—it feels like an uphill battle I can't win. My go-to move is just buying a massive Hershey’s bar to devour all by myself. And don't even get me started on people dipping into my stash of cookies; it drives me crazy! I haven't actually relapsed yet, but I'm seriously considering it, especially since I'm getting uncomfortably close to that 200-pound mark.

Look, kid, drop the idea of purging right now.
You think that'll actually make you thin? I guess maybe in the short term, but long term...
You're looking at depression, ruined teeth—your enamel gets destroyed, the surface gets all rough, and after a few years, your front teeth just snap off.

Do you even know what that looks like?!!!
Once you fall into depression, you'll just want to end it all.
Your moods will swing like you're on some heavy drugs.🤣
You'll lose bladder control and pee yourself just from laughing too hard or a little physical effort.

And you honestly think you won't feel hungry right after you purge?!!!😂 😂

So go ahead if your goal is to die.

If you actually want to lose weight,
cut out the sweets and bread (try fruit or raw veggies instead). It’s brutal for the first few days, but then it gets easier. Start walking an hour a day, drink plenty of water, and stick to unsweetened herbal tea between meals.
Fruit is way better than candy once you get used to it; it fills you up and the weight starts dropping.👍 👍
Don't throw away the good stuff for something this stupid.☕

I'm actually doing the same thing myself, so... I've started seeing a therapist and it’s been working out great for me.

Jeremy Thomas5 said:I’ve been trying to cut back on sugar lately, but honestly, my cravings for chocolate and pastries are relentless—it feels like an uphill battle I can't win. My go-to move is just buying a massive Hershey’s bar to devour all by myself. And don't even get me started on people dipping into my stash of cookies; it drives me crazy! I haven't actually relapsed yet, but I'm seriously considering it, especially since I'm getting uncomfortably close to that 200-pound mark.

And what, you're just going to stop eating entirely? They might as well tie you to your bed at this rate.

Oh, please. You really think you're the smartest person in the room, don't you? If you're so brilliant, why don't you just stop eating? And more importantly, if you're such a genius, why on earth are you sitting in therapy sessions? Why haven't you managed to fix your own diet yet?

I’m dealing with the exact same struggle—eating just to cope with a downward mental spiral. A wave of negativity hits, and suddenly there's this desperate urge to shove "something" down my throat, just to fill a void... I end up gorging myself. That sense of satisfaction only lasts while I'm actually eating, or maybe a minute or two after. If I force myself until I'm physically incapable of taking another bite, then maybe the feeling lingers slightly longer. But the crushing guilt follows immediately...
I know deep down I'm not hungry. It's not about nutrition; it's about trying to stuff myself with something because something is missing inside—emotions, fulfillment, something...
I simply don't have the strength to tell myself "no" when the urge strikes. Food becomes this singular form of solace, and if I don't turn to it, nothing else seems to work. All those little suggestions—go for a walk, pick up a book, call a friend—they just don't cut it for me...
Since it seems there are others here facing these same symptoms, perhaps we can offer each other some semblance of support... 🤷

It’s honestly the worst when people act like complete idiots and have zero clue what I'm going through. Even trying to distract myself with a decent book doesn't seem to work anymore.

wanderingraven said:I’m dealing with the exact same struggle—eating just to cope with a downward mental spiral. A wave of negativity hits, and suddenly there's this desperate urge to shove "something" down my throat, just to fill a void... I end up gorging myself. That sense of satisfaction only lasts while I'm actually eating, or maybe a minute or two after. If I force myself until I'm physically incapable of taking another bite, then maybe the feeling lingers slightly longer. But the crushing guilt follows immediately...
I know deep down I'm not hungry. It's not about nutrition; it's about trying to stuff myself with something because something is missing inside—emotions, fulfillment, something...
I simply don't have the strength to tell myself "no" when the urge strikes. Food becomes this singular form of solace, and if I don't turn to it, nothing else seems to work. All those little suggestions—go for a walk, pick up a book, call a friend—they just don't cut it for me...
Since it seems there are others here facing these same symptoms, perhaps we can offer each other some semblance of support... 🤷

Reading this makes me want to sprint straight to the fridge right now.😢

And why on earth would you be running to the refrigerator?

Because I'm seeing the exact same pattern haunting me too.

Hmm, what if you just filled that void with some solo playtime instead?

You can't be a lone wolf when you're part of a team.

Ethan Richardson3 said:Hmm, what if you just filled that void with some solo playtime instead?

That won't fly.

Jeremy Thomas5 said:Oh, please. You really think you're the smartest person in the room, don't you? If you're so brilliant, why don't you just stop eating? And more importantly, if you're such a genius, why on earth are you sitting in therapy sessions? Why haven't you managed to fix your own diet yet?

Look, I have a bit more experience under my belt than you do, so I’d ask you to please dial it back. I know exactly what I’m talking about.