Expert: Nafeesah - 4/20/2009

Question
Hi Nafeesah

Just last night I realised that I have a binge eating disorder. I have always ate this way almost everyday for as long as I can remember but I didn't realise that I really had a big problem because I don't really put on weight easily, considering how much I eat. I recently saw an Ayurvedic therapist who was the first person in my life to actually see that I have an eating problem. She suggested that something psychological from a young age is what triggered this eating habit. Everyone else does not believe that I really have a problem because I am of average weight. My mum does say that I eat scarily but I think, just like me she didn't think much of it because I wasn't ballooning up. The weight is slowly but surely creeping on now. But my main concern is that my lifestyle is so unhealthy. I feel sicker and sicker everyday. My body can't take the pressure on it anymore, I can feel it. And I am getting terrible acne, cysts, itchy bottom, tummy aches, eczema, etc. It's affecting my studies really badly as well.

The ayurvedic therapist recommended a kinesiologist to see so I am going to try that. I am also going to get psychotherapy which was a decision made actually before I realised I really do have an eating disorder caused by some emotional issue. I know therapy takes time and I'm afraid that I'll never find the problem or that even if I find it I can't get closure and make peace with it.

In the meantime I just hope I can get other tips on how to cope with this..

Cheers


Answer
I would also consult with an eating disorder specialist to find out how you can work through this because binge eating disorders are different for every person who deals with this. I would deal with the emotional issues that trigger you to overeat. The health issues such as the acne and other issues can be from hormonal imbalances.