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Binge Eating, Tiredness, Overweight. Is Food My Problem Or Is It Psychological?

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Posted on Sun, 26 Aug 2012
Question: Hi Dr. I'm not sure this is the right category. Anyway, I find myself binge eating and then getting too tired. I work very hard when I have to, but after that I ruin my plans by eating junk food and then getting too tired to do anything. I end up relaxing and watching TV all day. I am only about 20 lbs overweight. I have plans on my time off, and I don't do them. I fasted (a long time ago) and remember feeling great after the 3 days or so. Is food my problem, or is it psycological?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Hema Yadav (6 hours later)
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Yes, your symptoms are very much suggestive of an underlying psychological problem called Bulimia nervosa.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid gaining weight.
Men and women with bulimia are usually normal weight or slightly overweight.
There is no single cause of bulimia. While low self-esteem and concerns about weight and body image play major roles, there are many other contributing causes. In most cases, people suffering with bulimia—and eating disorders in general—have trouble managing emotions in a healthy way. Eating can be an emotional release so it’s not surprising that people binge and purge when feeling angry, depressed, stressed, or anxious.
As in your case your problem is not very severe as you do not use purgatives or vomiting but exercise and fasting as a counterattack method.
However it is advisable you consult a therapist ( psychiatrist ) for appropriate treatment and counselling.
The advice and support of trained eating disorder professionals can help you regain your health, learn to eat normally again, and develop healthier attitudes about food and your body.
The treatment of choice for bulimia is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy targets the unhealthy eating behaviors of bulimia and the unrealistic, negative thoughts that fuel them.
You learn to monitor your eating habits, avoid situations that trigger binges, cope with stress in ways that don’t involve food, eat regularly to reduce food cravings, and fight the urge to purge.
So please do not worry or hesitate and talk to your doctor .

Hope I have answered your query.
Kindly accept my reply if you have no further queries.
Regards



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Hema Yadav (2 hours later)
I agree with lots of what you say. I have NEVER purged to lose weight. I probably use food as a comfort thing. It's not so much that I feel guilty about eating or gaining weight, I feel guilty when I am lethargic, listless, and lazy and don't get things done. When I go to work, I don't eat because I need to run, run, run all day. I come home, eat too much and then can't sleep well. I understand it is an impulsive habit, as I am prone to sometimes, but I would like to overcome this without therapy. I don't have time right now because of my life's schedules. I know food affects most everybody, especially if you eat too much at one sitting (tired). Anyway, do you have any advice that I can start tomorrow?

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Hema Yadav (3 hours later)
Hello,
Thanks for the follow up.
The biggest mistake you are making is going without food for too long when at work .
This causes a dip in your blood sugar level causing excessive food consumption at the next meal.
You should try to eat five small meals in a day including breakfast , mid morning snack , lunch , fruits/ snack ,& dinner .
This method can help you avoid eating junk food as you will be eating foods from regular intervals. You will be able to absorb the meals easily when you are taking smaller foods rather than large types at a time.

2.Slow down whilst consuming -- The majority of excessive people consume in a rushed pace. They have to decelerate. Sluggish consuming is one of the easiest ways to avoid overeating.
It is said that you need to chew every morsel associated with food a minimum of 30 occasions or even more before ingesting it. Chew your food well because it is good for digestive function as well as helps you to decelerate whilst consuming.

3.Whenever you take a seat to consume, get rid of just about all worries as well as thoughts from your thoughts for at some point. Avoid sitting in front of television .Allocate 15-20 minutes simply for eating. Pay attention to the fragrance as well as taste while you put each morsel in your mouth. Gnaw the food properly and revel in it.

So though its difficult to break bad habbits , the fact that you are determined to start right away is appreciable and I hope you will be successful in breaking this habbit.
Hope I have answered your query.
Kindly accept my answer if you have no further queries.
Regards




Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Hema Yadav

Pediatrician, Infectious Diseases

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 1528 Questions

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Binge Eating, Tiredness, Overweight. Is Food My Problem Or Is It Psychological?

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Yes, your symptoms are very much suggestive of an underlying psychological problem called Bulimia nervosa.
Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of binge eating, followed by frantic efforts to avoid gaining weight.
Men and women with bulimia are usually normal weight or slightly overweight.
There is no single cause of bulimia. While low self-esteem and concerns about weight and body image play major roles, there are many other contributing causes. In most cases, people suffering with bulimia—and eating disorders in general—have trouble managing emotions in a healthy way. Eating can be an emotional release so it’s not surprising that people binge and purge when feeling angry, depressed, stressed, or anxious.
As in your case your problem is not very severe as you do not use purgatives or vomiting but exercise and fasting as a counterattack method.
However it is advisable you consult a therapist ( psychiatrist ) for appropriate treatment and counselling.
The advice and support of trained eating disorder professionals can help you regain your health, learn to eat normally again, and develop healthier attitudes about food and your body.
The treatment of choice for bulimia is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy targets the unhealthy eating behaviors of bulimia and the unrealistic, negative thoughts that fuel them.
You learn to monitor your eating habits, avoid situations that trigger binges, cope with stress in ways that don’t involve food, eat regularly to reduce food cravings, and fight the urge to purge.
So please do not worry or hesitate and talk to your doctor .

Hope I have answered your query.
Kindly accept my reply if you have no further queries.
Regards