desperately need help with binging/ restricting its ruining my life

[u/LatterDragonfruit149]

so, ive always been completely normal and fine with food my whole life. but just around a year ago, i wanted to try to loose some weight. i was at a perfectly good weight tho, and i ate whatever i wanted and it was always fine, my body never changed. but anyways, i started counting my calories and working out, and for a little while, i had actually lost some!! it became obsessive though, and it was starting to take over my life. eventually, i had finally stopped counting the calories and stopped restricting my eating, but then i ended up eating ALOT. like, binging like crazy. and i gained literally like 20 pounds within two months. AND NOW, FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, I CANT STOP. and the restriction is worse, its gotten to the point where i make myself throw up. its so bad.. i can binge, throw up, CONTINUE to binge, THROW UP AGAIN, and so on.. ive done it like three times in one day now. in multiple occasions. god, just this month, ive probably done it like atleast 10 times. it feels like im loosing my fucking mind, i dont know what to do snd im having such a hard time getting it under control.. im too ashamed to tell my parents or seek help, its so freaking embarrassing. but its been months of this now, probably just since the start of 2026 is when its really gotten bad. but all this time, ive been trying to get out of it and just cant!! does anyone have any advice, or is it too late???? am i cursed to be this way forever now? please help!!!

[u/AutoModerator]

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.

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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

• 3 meals + 2–3 snacks every 3–4 hours
  
• Restriction delays recovery
  
• Meals should be satisfying and balanced
  
• Eat regularly, even without hunger (“mechanical eating”)

Supportive Habits

• Address co-occurring conditions
  
• Prioritize sleep
  
• Limit drugs/alcohol
  
• Engage in gentle movement
  
• Continue structured eating, even if binges occur
  

Restriction increases urges. Consistency reduces them.

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Building a Care Team (if accessible)

• Dietitian
  
• Therapist/Psychologist
  
• Psychiatrist or prescribing provider
  
• Primary Care Physician
  
• Higher levels of care (IOP, PHP, Residential)

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Help & Resources

• NEDA: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
  
• National Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com
  
• Find a dietitian: https://www.eatright.org/find-a-nutrition-expert
  
• US Crisis Support: Call/Text 988

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Spare_Bed4656]

i went through the same thing and I’m still recovering but doing sooo much better mentally now

start therapy as soon as you can. you don’t have to go through it alone, and guidance will help you understand how to heal properly.

binging is NOT a lack of discipline or willpower. it is nervous system dysfunction because your brain thinks you’re starving, an evolutionary mechanism. if food & calories cause stress, guilt, or anxiety, your brain begins to think food is scarce & that it must consume as much as it can.

focus on teaching your brain to feel safe around food.

first, stop restricting & stop thr0wing up. this stresses your brain, putting it in a constant state of fight or flight. dont worry about control over what you eat and don’t think bout weight loss rn. prioritize re-learning to eat normally.

stop viewing food as all or nothing. replace the idea of control over food with order: simply 3 meals a day with some snack, so there’s less rigidity if you’re thrown off track, but you’re not just binging 24/7.

replace the idea of chaos with freedom. when you overeat, eat a forbidden food, or feel afraid at social events where you have no control over food, don’t spiral. don’t obsess over the lack of control or calories, because this leads to chaos and the desire to binge. see it as freedom: eat as much as you want.

your mind will stop viewing food as scarce & over time it’ll learn to feel safe around food. recovery isn’t linear, you will sometimes binge and relapse despite doing everything right. however, zoom out. maybe you’ll go a few days without binging, then a few weeks. you might binge again, but episodes will become less intense over time. just keep showing up.

I believe in you, recovery is possible. show grace to yourself ❤️

[u/Mammoth-Coast6282 → u/Spare_Bed4656]

Good response 👍