way out of binge eating?

I binge eat. In the past I have self harmed ... for more years than I care to mention. It started when I was 19 and I'm 44 now ... this last year or so I have been binge eating .... and I can see the parallels to why I self harmed. I eat not to feel. I eat to get rid of the emotons. I hate my body.... my big fat blob .... I seem to be out of control.

I want to stop but cannot.

Can anyone share what approaches have worked for them? Any books that have helped? I am exploring private help/self help. I live in the UK....

thanks for your help

Judith

[shlee1016]

Hi Judith,

I'm sure you understand that part of this is behavioral and part of it is mental. One way to help with the mental part of it would be to let yourself feel. Suppressing the feelings and holding all that in really contributes to the eating disorder behaviors. It's really difficult, but recognizing that feelings are feelings and that they shall pass if you let them, could help. Does that make sense?

Another thing would be to try to learn your triggers, if there are more difficult times of the day for you, and what your behaviors are. See what patterns you can find and then you will better be able to be proactive in changing it.

I'm also wondering if you are restrictive with food. Restriction usually leads to bingeing, so if you try to restrict to compensate, it's really a set up for another binge. Could any of these things help??

I hope you're doing okay.

Ashley