Compulsive overeating treatment options??

Question

I'm a 15 year old female and I have been a compulsive overeater for at least a year and a half; I specifically remember when it began. I have done loads of research on this disorder and I am positive I have it--there's no question--and it is serious.

I am not obese and techniquelly not overweight (5'5-5'6, 132-138 lbs.) and I get an adequate amount of exercise but I have gained at least 10-15 lbs. this past year all from binging.

My life is controlled by food. I'm so unhealthy and I've never felt so awful in my life. My question is: I need help NOW--I can't keep trying to do it myself--but how do I go about treating it?

I'm HORRIFIED at the thought of having to tell my mother about my problem to get serious treatment...You have no idea, it's my ultimate nightmare. Does anyone have any suggestions for me, please??? I'm tired of being a slave to food when I should be enjoying life as a kid!!

Answer 1

Turn your problem into a solution. Tell your mother you've decided that you're going to turn your family into health nuts so that you can all live happy lives together. You're mother will appreciate this 'white lie'. Then get her to take you shopping for lots of healthy food. Throw out all of the garbage you keep in your fridge. Overeating can be a good thing if all that you have around you is healthy food! Keep healthy snacks and vegetables nearby at all times. People will tell you that you need to get help, and it's true. But you need to help yourself. There is nothing more influential on your spirit than your own willpower and there's nothing more influential on your willpower than your spirit. If you're falling short of your own expectations, then one of these things is broken. YOU need to fix it. Think about the person that you were before your binging began. Who was she? What happened to her? What has changed?? Whatever it was, if it can be changed so easily that you weren't even aware of it, then it can be changed back just as easily. With a little willpower and spirit (and i'm not neccesarily talking about your soul unless that's what you beleive your spirit to be). Just whatever is at your core, that drives you to live and be who you are and strive to be who you want to become. Tap into this and become her. You can do it, you just have to beleive that you can and you will. No one is more an authority on the subject of you than YOU. Good luck. If you ever need to talk I am brent_armour on yahoo. I'm not a crazy or anything. :)

Answer 2

I have the same problem. I went through 7 boxes of cheez it in a week. Gained 15 pounds. Sometimes I think it's compulsive eating since I eat food that I like in such large amounts. But at the same time i'm not sure if it's because I love food so much. It's a constant battle for me too because I think about food all day long. I love food but Im also afraid to pack on the pounds. I have a thing for extremely unhealthy foods. Recently I have made a decision to stop these behaviors. I feel gross after overeating . In order to stop feeling like that I choose to eat everything I want to eat but reduced by half. I can't eat tiny portions either but I would definitely eat less than what I used to. I have to tell myself that what I'm putting in me will show years from now .. whether the effects be in physical appearance or the inner health. The thing that keeps me going is the fact that people who usually intake veggies, fruits and healthier foods look healthier. When I eat snacks I feel gross and I look gross too. EVery now and then I'll still slip because I think about food 24/7. I just try not to think about it. I try to find something else that can replace my addiction for food.

Answer 3

A compulsive overeating treatment is generally characterized by therapy that targets the psychological and emotional causes of the eating disorder. Experts agree that eating disorders of any type are not really about food. In fact, food is just the 'tool' used to soothe, console or provide emotional comfort to many who suffer with an over eating condition. It is a way to deal with life when stress, anxiety or problems arise. Compulsive overeaters are unable to control their excessive eating and unlike bulimics, they do not purge their calories. Weight gain is the obvious result for those who eat foods when they are not really hungry so that they can handle the pressures of life. Online compulsive overeating counseling can provide help and healing for many who suffer with this uncontrollable eating disorder.

Counseling and therapy designed to deal with the heart of the matter is very important in overcoming the problem. Compulsive overeating treatment plans can be effectively administered online or through many other types of medical or self-help programs. Depending on the severity of the condition, there is generally a program to suit just about anyone. There are online, out-patient, hospital, and retreat oriented programs that have proved to be highly effective for many people. When searching for one, always check on the credentials of the therapists, counselors or medical professionals to ensure proper treatments and professional, personal care.

All programs deal with the underlying causes of the condition, since compulsive overeaters usually began their weight gain as a child. This disorder affects a large amount of men and women. Its trigger may be rooted in some childhood trauma such as child abuse or other lesser causes of anxiety. The problem lies in the fact that these sufferers never learned how to deal with stress the proper way and turned to food for solace as a way to block out pain. In fact, when adults with the disorder go through increasingly stressful times in life, they are very likely to continue to gain weight in proportion to the stimuli. It is a cycle that is hard to break without submitting to a compulsive overeating treatment plan. Most treatment programs delve into the deep emotional, psychological and physical causes of overeating. The most successful programs are those that provide a combined approach that includes a type of therapy, nutritional information and medical intervention.

Sometimes, however, rather than seek the help of a professional, overeaters are misdirected to enter health spas, gyms and weight loss clubs. Society in general does not take the problems with over eating as seriously as is necessary for many people. Instead, gaining weight is looked at merely as a self-control problem. The thought is that if a person tries hard enough, he or she can loose the weight, then, voila! Problem solved. However, just loosing the weight does not solve the root cause of compulsivity. When the right stimulus comes along again, a person will very likely indulge the compulsions. The cycle returns, followed by guilt, more anxiety and sometimes self-hatred. Just like other eating disorders, overeating can be very dangerous and even lead to death if untreated. An online compulsive overeating counseling service can provide much more than just a weight loss regimen.

Answer 4

I have a wonderful cure for your overeating, as I have suffered for years with this problem. You need vitamins and minerals which is what you are searching for. Try 2 tbls apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before eating or whenever you need a snack. Hair and nails will grow too. Cures acne. Try it. You'll love it. You can also put in honey to taste.You will definitely feel full. I used to eat and eat and eat. Read the apple cider vinegar website.

Answer 5

Find a hobby, or keep yourself busy often and out of your house so you don't think about food, or about going to the kitchen and getting some. When out, carry little money so you don't end up buying a lot of food.

Answer 6

Try to drink more water. (it is recommended you drink 8 bottles daily) Whenever you are craving that bad food just grab a bottle of water or an apple or a banana. Hope I helped.

-Eric

Answer 7

You can get a complimentary personal diet profile from NBC's
"The Biggest Loser." I'm sure they can help you. They seem to
have all the answers. Good luck!

Answer 8

Overeaters Anonymous may help...my sister did it, I didn't really care for it, since it's faith based.

A private counselor is another route to go...