Binge eating disorder/food addiction/obesity

[Raindays1999]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. I assume this is a UK forum? Anyways, I think I may suffer from a binge eating disorder.

I already suffer from OCD, anxiety, depression, Asperger's, PCOS, psoriasis and being morbidly obese.

I am currently under the mental health team in my area, but I am not sure if they're going to be helping me with my binge eating issues.

To be completely honest, I'm not sure if I have a binge eating disorder or if I'm just plain and utterly greedy. I've looked up symptoms of binge eating disorder and I seem to fit the criteria. However, no one is giving me a diagnosis of it. Because of this, I feel like no one is taking my seriously and feels like I am just a greedy person who loves food. I feel like I am not worthy of any help because I'm not anorexic or bulimic. Am I worth the help?

Last year, I went to the GP on four different occasions and here's how it went (In no particular order)

1. One doctor referred me to a weight loss thing (baring in mind anyone can go to it. Self referral could be made) and that didn't work.

2. One doctor offered me tablets. I thought that was bad because that doesn't really solve anything.

3. One doctor referred me to an eating disorder clinic. I was so hopeful about this, but it was taking a long time to get a appointment. So we phoned up and they basically said they only treat anorexia or bulimia. So they couldn't help me.

I can't cope with this anymore, I feel like I'm going more and more insane and I feel like my body is shutting down because of all the bad food I give it. I feel like I am slowly dying. What should I do? I've phoned up about inpatient care to a few clinics and again, they mostly treat anorexia and bulimia. So do treat binge eating disorder, but it's far and few.

People keep telling me I have nothing in my life and that I need something to do, but it's not that easy because I'm basically unemployable. Why, you ask? Because I have no idea how to answer interview questions.

So I have some questions.

1. Has anyone got binge eating disorder in the UK and received help for it?

2. Has anyone received inpatient care for binge eating disorder/obesity?

3. If I feel like I am dying, should I call for some help? I don't know what to do!

[Jay86]

I feel for you, I’ve struggled with binge eating for a long time and never really got over it, but I’m managing. There isn’t much help out there, as you know having tried to source it. I’ve known a lot of people to get even worse help from their doctor regarding their weight. I hope someone gets back to you to answer your questions though.

I’m no expert on depression but it’s very bad for holding people back. The only thing that’s worked for me in dealing with depression and in turn my weight is setting small, obtainable goals. And I don’t mean like ‘lose 10 lbs’ I mean more like look at what you want to achieve in life and what you can do now to start making it a reality.

Being unemployed sucks but, here’s the kicker, having a job sucks too. The wrong job or a job you hate holds you back too, taking up your time and energy. If you don’t have work then think of that as 8 hours a day where you can do what you need to do to improve your situation. Get into something productive that you enjoy and set goals in that, like if you’re into reading or something try to set a target of read some fiction, some non fiction, or something technical in something you are interested in (just as an example, you could do that with anything).

For me, these sort of targets helped me deal with my depression and only then was I able to confront my eating and start losing weight. There’s nothing to stop you trying to diet but if you’re anything like me, you will keep struggling til you’re happier.

Everyone is different, you have to find what makes you motivated. Wish you the best of luck.

[Jay86]

Oh, and I only realised after I replied, but the NHS weight loss group is helpful, you’ll get a lot more replies from much more helpful people.

[debdobs]

EDNOS is an eating disorder and Adult Eating Disorder teams do provide intervention, I would get an advocate to re-refer you on the grounds of psychological distress and risk.