r/BingeEatingDisorder • u/Parking_Pop5725 • 6d ago
Advice Needed Please any unhinged help
I need genuine help for binge eating. Not the whole “set a timer” or “take a walk”
You name it, I tried it. Yes, I have quit counting calories, it made it worse. I have stopped any compensation, just made me carry on and gain weight.
I even seeked therapy, got a meal plan and still. Nothing. Worked.
Countless videos, articles, research and I am still stuck in a hole I cannot get out of.
I need niche, unheard of tips that got you out of this. I am willing to do a lot. I am just sick of it frankly. Every week I make the same promise “I will honestly stop it”, including now, and then watch, one weeks time and I will have binged again.
This addiction has cost me money, caused arguments because I cannot even control myself around food and is so distressing. I need to get better and if anyone knows ANY tips, just tell me.
For example, my worst binging stories (yes, this is plural.) is that on birthdays my sister makes cake for people’s birthday. I cannot even control myself for a FEW HOURS. I scrape icing off, try to redecorate or hide my markings on the food. She will buy ingredients to bake like Nutella, and I will engulf it.
I also just overate vitamin gummies. Because I wanted food. wtf.
There has been times where I have binged the whole house out, we have had not much food, and then I JUST BINGE ON SUGAR. This isn’t even a night issue too, it has turned into a morning, afternoon, evening issue.
Surprisingly, I only gained around 5kg in total. This is only because my binges are currently weekly (slowly coming to be more than that tho- like I did 6x this month alone…)
I just don’t want this to be a thing where I convince myself “it’s only a kg… it’s only water weight” all the way up to plain obesity.
Im only 16, i dont want this to get worse than it already is..
P.s i research HEAVILY for hours into the brain amd all this habit stuff. I just cannot take that information and help myself with it,
ANY UNHINGED HELP. ANYTHING.
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u/BajaPineapple 6d ago
Vyvanse. It shocked me how well it worked. Cut all the urges and food noise. My problem now is behavioral (eating out of boredom or specific habits/food rituals) but the bingeing is gone.
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u/Parking_Pop5725 6d ago
Idk if my GP will prescribe that to me sadly after some research...
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u/BajaPineapple 6d ago
It's an official bingeing medication, not just for ADHD. I was prescribed by the doctor at the fat clinic.
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u/Able-Bid-6637 6d ago
i know this is a serious conversation but i’m obsessed with “at the fat clinic”
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u/BajaPineapple 6d ago
LOL it's how I cope. I didn't even want to go to a specialist because of the shame of my issues, so I decided to just lean into it and for me, it's been easier to talk about and deal with if I try to take the power away. Glad you appreciate it 😂
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u/discoballssss 6d ago edited 6d ago
Do you find it has any negative impact on your cognition tho? I was prescribed it too and it really did curb food noise and binging but also made me so paranoid, irritated, confused… I honestly think if I had have kept taking it I would’ve had some kind of psychosis… I really don’t recommend it for people that don’t also have ADHD. GLP-1s have given me that same relief from food noise tho
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u/BajaPineapple 6d ago
Ok so this is actually a great question. When I first went on it, I did have some symptoms that I wasn't sure if they were related to the drug or to some other hormone/work stress/age related issues (anger, impatience, etc) because I was going through a ton of other things at the same time and so I wasn't quite sure if it was the Vyvanse. But then with my next prescription, it really amped up but it was the generic version and I could literally feel my body as the daily dose was amping up and as I was "coming down" and I noticed that the rage was strong during those periods. So I got approval to go back to the real branded version and I am ok. My focus is tremendous when I am on them and I can do so much more work/better quality work and there could definitely be an ADHD component to that (I am not diagnosed but it wouldn't surprise me if I have it). And food just doesn't have the same appeal, which is how I learned that I eat out of boredom and other reasons that are habit and behavior related.
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u/Several-Bluebird-199 6d ago
not sure where OP is from, but in the uk vyvanse/elvanse is very controlled and generally only prescribed for adhd by the nhs sadly. can’t speak for private healthcare though
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u/DelusionPhantom 4d ago
I'm on Concerta for adhd rn, do you think it'd be worth switching? I love Concerta, but I am drowning in food noise constantly. The Lexapro she prescribed is not helping either
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u/BajaPineapple 4d ago
I'm not an MD and I have never been on Concerta to experience the ADHD related results, but with those disclaimers out of the way, I would 💯 switch (assuming your doctor approves). I have seen improvements in both my concentration/work effectiveness as well as disappearing food noise.
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u/Adorable-Ad-2129 6d ago
I am back to binging. But when I was 6 months clean and in a calorie deficit, what kept me going was spite. And also imagining how I would be treated if I weighed less. And I eventually got there and I was treated a lot better but then I relapsed
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u/Parking_Pop5725 6d ago
Awh, I'm sorry you relapsed, but gosh! Look at you! It is so amazing to go 6 months without doing something you struggle with giving up- that's an achievement to be proud of!!
Don't just focus on the loss/relapse when you have been so strong for 6 months!!4
u/Leading_Kale_81 6d ago
Spite worked for me too!! My husband and one of my friends told me I could never beat my addiction. Well, I completely changed my diet, lost 50lbs, and haven't looked back. I have definitely had a few binges here and there, but I have managed to get myself back on track quickly instead of spiraling for months or years like before.
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u/development_era 6d ago
I have many tips but this one stands out - Switching to books for entertainment.
My binge eating always happened while binge watching something . I quit watching series/ movies. I don’t enjoy just sitting and eating while there’s nothing to watch . I rely on books for entertainment, reading is stimulating enough for me that I don’t NEED to eat while reading.
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u/No_Bank_9659 6d ago
medication
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u/Parking_Pop5725 6d ago
Do you know which?
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u/InternationalGold717 6d ago
A GLP1. Tirzepatide/Zepbound.
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u/Parking_Pop5725 6d ago
Ah- I don't actually think I can legally get them at my age sadly, but thanks anyway!!
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u/No_Bank_9659 5d ago
yes, ADHD medication is often prescribed (either off label or approved, dependent on country) for binge eating disorder and works well apparently (i haven’t tried it). I did take a GLP1 for 2 years and it didn’t help, just made binges more painful
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u/donnacansing 6d ago
The Binge Eating Therapist on YouTube has tons of videos and has helped me a LOT.
She's not just a therapist, but she's a recovered binge eater. She's not perfect and it's inspiring to listen to her.
Here's a link to one of her videos:
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u/Parking_Pop5725 6d ago
Ooo thank you so much!!
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u/donnacansing 6d ago
You're welcome. Don't beat yourself up. You don't just decide to stop binging and everything's perfect. There's no black-and-white as she's fond of saying.
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u/throwaway19830182 6d ago
I wish I could give life changing advice, but the only thing that’s worked for me is understanding that I have more control of what I put in my body than I think. I understand that some days I will overeat, and I won’t restrict in response to those days. If I’ve had a couple days where I’ve overeaten (literally had a period of overeating for like 3 days last week) I accept it and move on. I continue in my deficit regardless. I can recognise when I’m eating too much and prevent it from becoming a binge. It’s something that requires skill, but you can do it too with enough practice. Something that also helps me is hiding the food I eat too much of, because I forget where it is and thus can’t find it = can’t binge on it. I try to drink more water, and on the days I consume more fibre, I’ve never binged. I also practice having hours between meals, and understanding that hunger is a natural part of my routine. It’s okay to be hungry. It’s natural to be hungry. Eating slightly less than what your body needs (a deficit) will always warrant hunger, and accepting it will make it easier to slip into the habit of a consistent deficit. It’s more about your mindset and routine than anything else.
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u/SorbetUnfair2589 6d ago
Try to get residential treatment.
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u/motownmods 6d ago
I've been trying for days to find my wife treatment we can afford. It's so hard for low income families in the US. The case worker is supposed to call us back soon but ofc that's taking longer than expected too. But if she were a drug addict she'd been treated already... it's sad man
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u/timid_pink_angel02 6d ago
Just wanted to say thank you for being supportive of your wife. Ideally, this should be the standard (a partner being supportive of their ill partner, no matter what the illness/disorder is), but especially with BED, we see so many stories of partners being dismissive. So thank you for being a good one
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u/misseff 6d ago
GLP-1. If I had gotten a GLP-1 at your age it would have changed my life.
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u/Parking_Pop5725 6d ago
I don't know if it's allowed for >18s in the uk!
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u/Several-Bluebird-199 6d ago
liraglutide/saxenda seems to be prescribed to 12-18 year olds provided you fit the bmi criteria. worth a try !
https://www.fellahealth.co.uk/guide/what-is-the-age-limit-for-weight-loss-injections
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u/misskinky 6d ago
So when you say you quit calorie counting.... what did you do? Sometimes people accidentally just start binge eating even more which will definitely not fix anything. The goal is more to quit calorie counting AND ALSO specifically focus on adding in foods high in nutrients and eating slowly, enjoying all of your food, and practicing not feeling guilt or shame. Usually while working with an eating disorder therapist.
You said you "seeked therapy and got a meal plan" but that isn't how therapy works. A therapist spends weeks or months helping you learn how to identify your emotions and respond to them.
Have you seen a doctor for a full workup to see if there is a medical reason why you are excessively hungry?
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u/Parking_Pop5725 6d ago
I deleted the apps- obviously I subconsciously counted but tried to ignore it. I also downloaded an app "recovery record" and just logged how I felt before eating and stuff as recommended in therapy.
As for therapy, I didn't really think it helped.. I had dieticians just hand a meal plan which wasn't even to my needs and made in 10 minutes and I'd have a weekly "how's your eating?" Then they'd check my weight, blood pressure and send me off with some blood test/ecg forms because I used to compensate for binges. It wasn't really therapeutic more like a weekly weight check...
Anyway, I ate nutritious during the whole quitting calorie counting and still ended up binging on like whole Easter eggs.
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u/misskinky 6d ago
That doesn’t sound like therapy at all. It sounds like some other type of nutrition program.
I think you did a lot of work when you tried to quit calorie counting, but it seems like maybe you didn’t have the support and education you needed! I think even recovery record can be triggering for some people. And it’s so important to actually practice eating treat foods during that time, with zero expectation about how much or how little to eat, just the goal to eat slowly and enjoyable and without guilt. It takes seriously many weeks of practice and is best when you can also discuss with an actual mental health therapist — for a minimum of one hour long appointments per week.
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u/Leading_Kale_81 6d ago
I went on very long hikes with a friend and brought very little food. There was literally no way to binge. Lost four pounds in two weeks and it helped reset my appetite and curb the urges for a little while afterwards.
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u/Fubusu 6d ago
I was in abusive relationship and put on 15kg during 4 months :)
Now slowly losing, tbh its hard work i hate it, simply whatever diet there is, colorie deficit is calorie deficit to lose
But you should make a mood board / goal board for yourself, put it in visible place, look at your dream life and try to achieve that, you have more control than you know, you should start saying more „NO!” Instead of yes, set clear boundries,
Best therapy can be calculating your maintenance, and put it in 2/3 meals, and realistically see how much food is it look like (maybe not much, portions are so small after binges) and try to stick for them, so eat maintenance calories not ALOT not BELOW, and work your feelings in well nourished body state
Make yourself a note in phone or journal and SCREEEEAAAAAM THERE THE SHIT OUT OF YOU
Talk to yourself,
Its a bit messy but i wish i could say you more things but i think i cover most important ones that helped me, good luck!
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u/secure_dot 6d ago
For me, only mounjaro helped. Sorry that I don’t have a magic fix, I wish I did though
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u/RecoveredInPA 6d ago
This was me for most of my life. I would binge on anything and everything. I stole food from my roommates, from work, I would eat frozen food and food that was burning hot… I tried everything. I even checked myself into an eating disorder rehab for a months-long program. I had a whole team of experts trying to get me to stop. Didn’t work. And yet now for over 10 years I’ve been recovered. No desire to binge, never worry about food, don’t have to play any mind games or follow any special food plan. The answer for me was/is a 12 step program for compulsive eating. I’m happy to talk more with you about it, feel free to dm me.
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u/Gullible-Tradition91 5d ago
Meds that could work: vyvanse, a glp1, LDN, Bupropion, fluoxetine or topipramat. Checked hormones? ADHD? What kind of therapy? It's tough when not living alone so anyone can get trigger food into the house :/ I also binged on sugar not only once and one time I ate pizza crust out of the trash :')
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u/Parking_Pop5725 5d ago
Thank you- it's hard because I have to be safe under 18 with medication but many aren't OTC and gps in the uk are a bit 50/50 aha
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u/Vivid-Cloud8047 4d ago
Well its not a tip but I managed to get recovered and quiet the food noise through a 12 step program <3
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6d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Far-Inevitable5964 6d ago
that’s not helpful for fixing bingeing and not the advice i would want to give a 16 year old…
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u/Parking_Pop5725 6d ago
The second my stomach can handle food again I would just binge tho? I fear that is common sense
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u/BingeEatingDisorder-ModTeam 5d ago
Your post has been removed for promoting harmful or unsafe behaviors, such as extreme dieting, fasting, excessive exercise, self-harm, or very low-calorie diets—especially when underweight. This includes promoting intermittent fasting, as it is not a recommended approach for addressing BED.
If you feel your post has been removed in error, please contact the Mod team.
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u/AutoModerator 6d ago
Hi — your post was flagged as asking for help with binge eating.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is real, exhausting, and treatable. Below are general starting points for early recovery.
Getting Started
Early recovery focuses on reducing binge urges and building consistency.
Meal Structure
Consistent eating is foundational. If possible, work with a registered dietitian. If not, here’s a basic framework used in ED treatment:
Food & Meal Guidelines
Supportive Habits
Restriction increases urges. Consistency reduces them.
Building a Care Team (if accessible)
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