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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Overeater
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Overeater
by chad, Mar 10, 2001 12:00AM
I am an overeater, I'm also a Drug Addict. I am usually on the addiction board. My story is as follows:
I have been overweight all of my life, I weighted 95 pounds in the first grade. I was teased terribly when I was younger. When I turned 18 (1994) I weighed in at 464 Lbs. My doctor said "Son you've gotta do something about your weight, there is this new weight lose medication called Phentermine!" Well he put me on that and I lost so much weight, in 2 yrs I weighed in at 185 Lbs. Now in 2001 I have nearly put the majority of my weight back on, I weigh almost 340. I don't know what to do, I've had people tell me "Maybe you were born to be fat!" Well, I don't think so. When I get hungry, I go to a fast food place and I'll order 2 value meals, not 1, 2!! I don't have any self control whatsoever. My question(s) is
1. Does anybody know of a mental disorder associated with what I do?
2. Is there anything left I can do?
3. Are there any new meds except, Adipex, Meridian I can try?
I need help, I am sick to death of this problem.
Thanks
Chad B
I have been overweight all of my life, I weighted 95 pounds in the first grade. I was teased terribly when I was younger. When I turned 18 (1994) I weighed in at 464 Lbs. My doctor said "Son you've gotta do something about your weight, there is this new weight lose medication called Phentermine!" Well he put me on that and I lost so much weight, in 2 yrs I weighed in at 185 Lbs. Now in 2001 I have nearly put the majority of my weight back on, I weigh almost 340. I don't know what to do, I've had people tell me "Maybe you were born to be fat!" Well, I don't think so. When I get hungry, I go to a fast food place and I'll order 2 value meals, not 1, 2!! I don't have any self control whatsoever. My question(s) is
1. Does anybody know of a mental disorder associated with what I do?
2. Is there anything left I can do?
3. Are there any new meds except, Adipex, Meridian I can try?
I need help, I am sick to death of this problem.
Thanks
Chad B
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Mar 22, 2001 12:00AM
, Mar 22, 2001 12:00AM
This is obviously a tough and long standing problem, but your story has some hope to it.
You did it before. What worked then, and why not do it again?
YOur problem is overeating, not metabolism. That can be controlled. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist who does cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Because of your weight, other parts of your life are not working out well, and you are undoubtedly depressed about that. Work on that with a therapist.
Try the free course in the Mastering Stress program above to get you started.
You did it before. What worked then, and why not do it again?
YOur problem is overeating, not metabolism. That can be controlled. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist who does cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Because of your weight, other parts of your life are not working out well, and you are undoubtedly depressed about that. Work on that with a therapist.
Try the free course in the Mastering Stress program above to get you started.
I am presently on 3 different medications: one of them for depression, because I turn to fried foods, chocolate and sugar when I am depressed.
Just wanted you to know that you are not alone.