Is this binge eating?

[Anonymous]

When I am tired or stressed, I sometimes gorge myself with food--last week it was with Halloween candy. I gained 2 lbs. in 5 days. I realize this is not healthy or good, and I am wondering if anyone has experienced binge eating and if this behavior would qualify. Before I married and had kids, food and my weight were never issues for me. I do not know why this is happening and it scares me. According to BMI tables I am slightly overweight, but not obese. I scared myself last week with this overeating of candy--it's like I couldn't get enough and ate past the point of feeling full. Anyone out there with similar experiences, and if so, how do you manage/control this behavior? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

Yes, this is binge eating. Two factors in particular qualify (1) the anesthetic quality you are seeking from food (eating to feel numb), and (2) the fact that you feel like you've past the point when you can tell that you are full any more -- in other words, the food is not satisfying but you are continuing to eat it, obviously for other reasons besides the fact that you are hungry or need nutrition.

These are classic binge underliers. I recommend reading up on binge eating and talking with a therapist, or a support group.

[Anonymous]

OP, I cannot help you but I admit that I have the same tendencies (to overeat in response to stress; eat past the point of fullness; obsessively think about eating) even though I am at a reasonably healthy weight. For years I have thought about finding a therapist to discuss my issues with food, but I want someone who knows about food disorders and yet I feel awkward seeking them out. If anyone has a therapist to recommend, I would appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Not to make light of the situation, but this is me almost every day! I can't attribute any emotional issues to the eating. I just really like food. Sometimes, it is boredom related, but I can easily go through a bowl of popcorn when working or reading a book. Fortunately, I have maintained a decent weight. I find that if I try and replace the "bad" food with "good" food, it doesn't work and I end up eating not just the good food, but the bad a s well. Portion control techniques work. If I pour some popcorn in a small bowl, then I am fine with just the small bowl (or I will pour in a little more).

[Anonymous]

I find that if I try and replace the "bad" food with "good" food, it doesn't work and I end up eating not just the good food, but the bad a s well.

I sometimes do that too, but I wonder which is really worse? Is it worse to eat an apple AND a candy bar, or just a candy bar? The "good" food isn't usually that high in calories and tends to be nutritiious, so I kind of think it's better to eat both. I mean, if I'm going to eat the candy either way, I should at least get some fruit in me too, no?

[Anonymous]

op here, thanks for the replies. has anyone ever been involved with overeaters anonymous?

[Anonymous]

I have been involved in Overeaters Anonymous and am a compulsive overeater. The behaviors that you describe sound to me like compulsive eating. Although I, too, claimed for many years that I turned to food out of boredom or stress because I "like" food, the truth is that when one turns to food for any reason other than physical hunger, one is using that food as a substance--a drug of sorts. Like drugs, different foods have different psychological effects on us. You will rarely find yourself compulsively reaching for tomatoes, for example. Generally binge foods are either sugary or carb laden or both. I could go on and on but I will just say this. The problem is not necessarily your weight. People focus so much on their weight that they lose track of the truth. You may be able to maintain a healthy weight and still engage in some of these behaviors but there is an underlying reason that you are trying to numb your feelings rather than let yourself feel them. It is important for your overall health to address those reasons and these potentially damaging behaviors rather than ignore it or rationalize it. That's my 2 cents. Check out www.oa.org. Go to a meeting or two. Can't hurt.