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ED Binge eating

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I have been having bad binge eating episodes. I eat at night until my stomach hurts terribly. Sometimes I even get back up and eat more. It's insane. I am trying to eat healthier so it's mostly grains and rice with chopped vegetable. It isn't helping because I know hunger is not the problem.
I don't know what to do. I wish I had will power to just not do it.
There is a connection between trauma and the body's inability to absorb nutrients. I am much more tired than I should be and I can feel the extra pounds. I need to move more I just don't have the desire to go out unless I have to for work. I don't care about how I dress for work. I don't care about much of anything.
 
I have been having bad binge eating episodes. I eat at night until my stomach hurts terribl...
Hi Alice, if you're taking meds, some of them create binge eating urges and really strong sugar and carb cravings. I am not on meds that do that anymore, but when I was I could eat a whole pie in five minutes.

My weight is pretty normal now, but sugar makes me sleepy and I cant sleep. I'm in the habit of eating an entire bag of oreos about 2 am everyday, then I pass out and wake up with oreo crusted lips and black teeth. I hope that makes you feel a little better.

I also dont care what I wear or look like anymore, I think thats very common with PTSD and depression. Its not a bad thing necessarily. As long as you dont let it get to the point where you're drawing unwanted attention from other people that will make you feel bad about yourself.

Sometimes the kind of protein powders you get from health food stores have all the vitamins and minerals in them you need, they absorb better in that form then from pills. You dont have to eat your way into enough nutrients. ;)

The urge to eat to fill an empty space and be numb comes from the same place that compulsive drinking, smoking sex etc. does. Dont be so hard on yourself over a compulsive brown rice and veggie eating habit! :)
 
Hi @Alice.in.Wonderland

I've also had an issue with this.
In my own case was trying not to feel the original feeling by stuffing myself so that the fullness becomes the new feeling. It has been eating so I gain weight, feel unattractive and have an excuse to remain invisible/avoidant. It has been a source of uncomfortable comfort. I sense the reasons vary for people but at the core it's about not wanting to be with what is.

I agree that there is a connection between trauma and absorbtion. I understand that connection be related to the vegus nerve.
I wonder if you know whether you have 'leaky gut', this can also create poor absorbtion, effect energy, weight gain etc? In my own case I have this via an auto immune condition. These conditions are quite common in people with severe trauma in their history.

I can totally relate to the process you describe. This is what happened to me.
I stopped working eventually and went into total self neglect.

What's helped?
-Telling someone compassionate that I was binge eating. Talking about the process and feelings.
-Agreeing with someone not to binge for at least two days out of seven and then increasing the number as and when.
-Identifying triggers - situations
- Identifying foods that set off binging - for me that would be grains and nuts.
- Using tools from support groups for people with disordered eating.
-The emotional pain getting so close to the surface that food no longer helped

I still do it, although a lot less. It takes time. In my own case it's a sign of feeling overwhlemed/being in a lot of emotional pain.

Wishing you well. Keep sharing.
 
Ditto on the protein powder. It was so hard for me to find a pure/clean one as many/most have undesirable additives that I can't tolerate. I found a simple one that is flavorless and unsweetened and add my own stuff. It's actually not bad plain either.
 
I have no idea how I reduced binge eating, but before I was having serious problems with it, now a tiny bit less...

Mainly replacing it with other habits and so on... But yea, also you could try binging on fruit, might be a bit healthier, and slowly moving to binging basically empty food

It's the need to fill the emptyness inside with something, so we reach for food
 
Thank you for the support and suggestions. Binge eating is not a new problem for me. It waxes and wanes. I dealt with it using diuretics and laxatives in my teens and early 20s. I was never able to get the bulimic knack.
I can easily steam a head of cauliflower.

What is different is eating until the pain is so bad and soon as it eases I eat more and the pain is too bad to lie down.
I know I am avoiding feelings.

Keep writing self.
 
I'm writing about my own awarenesses about my food issues, with the hop that it helps you, too.

From abuse, I have the fear of not being able to eat when I want and/or need to eat. Hence, I over eat.

If I am frightened, or around stern authority figures, or my job is over stressed-that puts me in a fear related 'light or fight" mode, I over eat.

Sure, all the usual tools help; not solve the PTSD trauma, imbeded in my brain. So I do what I can do, all of the suggested treatments.

A thing I have noticed is that if I don't allow myself my daily treat, I eat more calories of healthy food, than in my sweet snack.

With your fatigue, just to rule out any overt nutritional deficiency, or blood or hormone condition, you might have a blood test.

I send you thoughts of safety, love, and protection.
 
Agree with @Vandya above.

I eat way too much or not at all.

I agree that there is a connection between trauma and absorbtion. I understand that connection be related to the vegus nerve.

I think this must be true. ^^

I think it's affected by emotions. Also can be self-harming. Also can be related to impulse control , transitioning, +/ or triggers.

For example I eat when I'm nervous, I eat to get energy (it doesn't seem to provide it), or when restless. I feel lousy, probably semi-intentional. I eat to avoid going out or seeing people (self-sabotage). I'll eat because I fear there won't be food available in the future. When I do eat I'll eat what's there- small package or large. Stopping is as hard as starting.

Hugs to you xox.
 
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