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Kindred Offline
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Re: Can't stop eating after beating my eating disorder - February 15th 2013, 01:27 PM

Hey, I'm on my phone so sorry if this is quick or has spelling errors etc

Just quickly- well done, seriously, for doing so well in recovery. That's so fantastic and I'm so proud you've managed to do that. I admire you.

Secondly- a lot of people experience something called 'extreme hunger' in recovery, even after they've gained all the weight back and ate eating regally and stuff. Truth is, your body is really messed up and it's just confused right now. Generally, the advice is just to live through the 'binges' or extreme hunger as I prefer to call it. Binging is not binging in recovery from a restrictive eating disorder. It's just your body getting what it needs. Generally, the extreme hunger is just a phase that will pass if you stick it out, go with it, and don't debt yourself of what you need.

Restricting in response to a binge however will trigger more urges to binge. You can't restrict sweetheart, even if you feel awful and horrible. Of course you'll feel horrible, but the important thing to remember is that you're recovering and this phase will pass.

As soon as I'm home, I'll post a link to an article about extreme hunger and also dealing with urges to binge

Best if luck <3



EDIT: Article on binging in recovery and why it isn't binging (watch out for calorie numbers, long post but worth it)

And I couldn't find the link, so here is the whole binge- purge (restricting following a binge is purging) thing:
Steps to Stop the Binging/Purging Cycle

1. Identify your triggers. Everyone has different triggers. Stress, loneliness, family problems, a bad day can all lead to the impulse to purge. Take note of what your triggers are and try to avoid them and learn ways to better cope with them.

2. Improve your self-esteem. Self-esteem is a big key factor in your binge/purge cycle. Studies show that people with low self-esteem are more prone to depression, loneliness, poor body image, helplessness, feeling like they have no control, and feeling unable to cope with stress and change. These are all triggers for a binge/purge cycle. Improving your self-esteem will help remove these triggers from your life.


3. Eat at regular intervals. Never let yourself get hungry. Avoiding food for long periods of time can cause you to get that out-of-control hungry feeling that triggers a binge. Eating a small amount every 3 to 4 hours can curb binges and subsequent purges.


4. Consider taking medications. Since bulimia is primarily a psychological disorder, some people have found recovery success through a combination of psychotherapy and medications. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the only anti-depressant approved by the USDA for the treatment of bulimia is Prozac. Prozac has been found to reduce binging and purging, prevent relapse, and improve attitudes toward eating. Other types of medications, such as selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have also been shown to reduce binging and purging cycles. Discussing your disorder with your doctor or therapist can help you decide if medications are right for you.


5. Get comprehensive treatment. Group therapy, and especially cognitive behavior therapy, is an effective way to maintain recovery after you’ve maintained some sense of control over your binging and purging. Comprehensive therapy that includes group and individual counseling, psychotherapy, medications and nutritional counseling is the most successful form of treatment.


6. Be honest with yourself and others. Recruit a friend or trusted family member to help you along in your recovery process. Fill them in on your triggers and advise them on steps they can take to help diffuse the pressure of a potential binge/purge cycle. If certain situations or environments trigger your disorder, turn down invitations and turn to your trusted confidant instead to help get your mind off of a stressful situation.


7. Change your mindset about overindulging. Just because you binge or eat something you feel you shouldn’t, doesn’t mean you should scrap the entire day as a lost cause and purge. Take your recovery one day at a time and be patient with yourself. Relapse is inevitable but a necessary step in the recovery process.



Take as long as you need.

Last edited by Kindred; February 15th 2013 at 07:13 PM.
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