How do i tell my therapist that i overeat?!
Question: i dont know what to do. i have had so many major problems in the past 3 year. i have been hospitalized 6 times for trying to kill myself etc. i have been arrested for alcohol abuse. i have ruined my relationship with my parents by lying . the sad thing is that i believe that it has all basically stemed from me being a compulsive overeater and wanting someone to understand but being afraid to tell them what is really going on . last year i went through a major depression and felt like i lost it all. this was the only time through these 3 years that i havent overeaten All the time. advice? could i get help from my family or my therapist? does anyone even think i have a real problem? please dont be insulting i do that enough myself! thanks guys! ps this is so bad this year in college that i have gained almost 60 lbs since sept and i need help.
Answers: i dont know what to do. i have had so many major problems in the past 3 year. i have been hospitalized 6 times for trying to kill myself etc. i have been arrested for alcohol abuse. i have ruined my relationship with my parents by lying . the sad thing is that i believe that it has all basically stemed from me being a compulsive overeater and wanting someone to understand but being afraid to tell them what is really going on . last year i went through a major depression and felt like i lost it all. this was the only time through these 3 years that i havent overeaten All the time. advice? could i get help from my family or my therapist? does anyone even think i have a real problem? please dont be insulting i do that enough myself! thanks guys! ps this is so bad this year in college that i have gained almost 60 lbs since sept and i need help.
Hi Ellie. Yes, you do have a real problem. Of course you could get help from your therapist - just tell her, like you told us here. Maybe you could print out this page and give it to her, if you can't bring yourself to say the words. I understand about not being able to say the actual words - I was suicidal for months at one stage, many years ago, and could not tell my doctor whom I saw regularly for depression.
Apart from getting medical help, there are little things you can do to help yourself, such as:
* only eating SITTING DOWN at the dining table
*only eating with others present
*only eating at regular meal times
*fixing the size of serves before you start, then only eating what is on your plate.
There are millions of people with eating disorders and you should not feel alone. There is also LOTS of support available. You just need to take that first step....
Yes! It sounds like this is a major issue in your life. It could only help to tell your therapist. You cannot get the help you need if you're not honest. What have you got to lose at this point? If you just cannot force the words out, write it down and give it to him/her. I wish you well.
A better question is "How can you not?"
Just tell your therapist. Say "I think I have an eating disorder. Do you think it's the cause of my problems or a symptom?"
Any competent therapist has a few books dedicated to eating disorders, they've been a hot topic in the last 15 years so s/he should be up to date on it.
An eating disorder is as much a symptom of your mental problems as the suicide attempt. If you can tell your therapist about that you can tell them about the overeating.
Overeating is a very common but very unhealthy coping mechanism. Unfortunately, overeating sometimes only makes you feel worse about yourself, therefore exacerbating the underlying problem(s). Telling a therapist and your family would be of tremendous value to you. I can't stress enough the importance of having a support group. I know it is hard to do and may seem embarrassing, but trust me, therapists have dealt with many many people with that same problem before- they won't be shocked or appalled. I would also recommend overeaters anonymous online. You can talk to others who are struggling with the same issues, but it is totally anonymous. They have online meetings every 3 hours! Good luck, and don't give up!
Therapists are there to help you with problems, so you should just tell here
Go up to him and say, "I over eat!"
Some medication has the tendency to counter appetite as a side effect. The medication I've tried in the past has done some of that, although Effectzor and Lexapro don't seem to do well at that.
You need to want to change to be honest. You have to change your mentality and think, I shouldn't be eating this, or this is way to much. Medicine will help, but it is also in the mind set that you possess.
Ellie, it seems like you have Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
it can be helped, please seek professional help
Print this out and show him/her.