Compulsive eating

[Eireamy]

I will try to keep this quick

I have had a tough time the past 8 years that I have known I am a compulsive eater. I binge, but don't purge. I have a skewed body image (I actually see myself smaller than I am and larger than I am at the same time, kinda hard to explain). I have flirted with Anorexia and bulimia, but not since High School.

I have been working with the "Love Hunger" book and process to work through it since all of the Eating disorder clinics around here refuse to acknowledge that compulsive eating is more than a lack of self control.

Atkins is both a blessing and a worry with this disorder. I have almost free rein with foods and there is a lot of "ritual" food preparation that I find myself doing.

Just looking for anyone who may be on this same path to chat with or anyone willing to discuss the whole process.

Thanks

[Peterlock]

Hi Eireamy, :wave

I'm so glad you posted and I doubt how much help I can be to you - but no doubt other folks might have some suggestions for you too.

I think there's a good deal going on with you, much more than you alluded to in your post and lot's of issues at play here at once. That said, a couple of things come to mind..

Body Dysmorphic disorders are real diseases, complicated, elusive and vastly misunderstood by regular laymen and Physicians as well.

I think it's so critical that you work with and or find to work with a Psychiatrist who specializes in the types of disorders you have.

These "clinics" that you speak of in your post who were so quick to dismiss you - sounds like they were equally quick in not understanding you.

Often a person suffering from one depressive illness exhibits symptoms and traits of many others. Pretty interesting if you consider that anti depressant medications themselves work in the same way often having multiple uses for multiple disorders.

Considering the "rituals" you mention concerning how you prepare certain foods that your physical dysmorphic disorder comes with a side order of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) ...just a hunch.

On the pharmaceutical front there are a number of medications that when used with talk therapy have an impressive success rate, one that comes to mind is Luvox which for some reason has more of a history of success in treating OCD than most any other SSRI medication - you may already know this and may have even have tried it, so excuse me if it's redundant.

You would think after a lifetime of dealing with depression I would be able to give you some rock solid advice - but the best I can tell you is self diagnosis and self medication/treatment are the worst mistakes you can make.

You need a diagnosis and treatment program that may or may not include some sort of therapy - most likely cognitive behavioral therapy wwww.cognitivetherapy.com and medication be it Luvox, something else or a cocktail (combination of meds)

Because Atkins flips off your hunger switch cravings and hunger are alleviated almost entirely. But your not eating out of hunger or cravings - not cravings for food anyway, but rather the compulsion to engage in specific behavior patterns which logically you know aren't in your best interest.

I think getting yourself to a qualified Psychiatrist is paramount - and I realize that's easier said than done. If you need a referral you can call your local hospital, family physician, major teaching hospitals like Yale New Haven and Mass General and remember there's a huge network of professional associations, support groups and web-rings right on the web a few hours with google may turn up some valuable results.

Sorry for the long winded post but I'll close by saying getting yourself some qualified help at this point might be more important right now than Atkins or anything else for that matter.

Peter ha

[Laurenfra]

Eireamy,
Peter has given you some great advice. I think seeking help is the right idea.
That said we are here for you , we are all in this together. If I read your post right we have very similar issues. I had an day a few weeks ago that I binged until I was sick. It was Atkins legal, but not food I needed. As I move forward in my life and Atkins these times become less and farther apart. There is a key to getting a hold on this but the key is diffrent for eveyone. A certain type of therapy, a drug, personal growth.
Seeing a professional will help you find your key.
Email or PM me anytime. I check here at least 2x a day.
Lauren :hug