[Sabrina]

I have major self esteem problems. And I comfort eat. Since teenage years (I am in my mid-30's) I have had issues with food, eating, dieting, weight gain, weight loss etc.

I am wondering where the line is drawn in terms of having the above problems / issues and actually having an eating disorder. (I binge and eat emotionally but do not purge).

I am overweight. My weight was good prior to starting AD's. Then it ballooned. When that happened I rebelled by eating more and a nasty tug-of-war started. I have been medication free for a year and despite regular excercise, the excess weight does not budge.

I'm sorry - I may have gone off the point of my original question.

Thanks for listening.

[Genevieve]

Hi, Sabrina!

The line for what is an eating disorder versus not is distress. If the distress of your eating interferes with your functioning, that's an eating disorder. If your eating itself interferes with functioning, that's an eating disorder. (Those are general lines, of course, because for some people, disordered eating causes no distress...)

Emotional eating is a problem, binge eating is a problem -- in fact, one of the new disorders proposed for the next edition of the DSM is Binge Eating Disorder. Of course, they're also very, very common.

Despite the doctors telling patients that it's our own fault for gaining the weight, try to talk to your doctor about the weight -- those drugs really do cause weight gain, and for some people, only medications can help start the process of losing it. But for the eating part of this problem, therapy or support groups would help. There are a bunch of groups out there, OA if you like 12-steps, or ANAD or a few others. Try that, which gives you a room full of people who really do understand.

Godo luck, and hope that helped.

[Sabrina]

I cannot do the room full of people thing, hence going on-line .. but I thank you for your kind and thoughtful suggestion.

I have not seen a doctor in just more than a year. Kind of lots burnt - lots shy!!

Nonetheless, I so appreciate you reply and your post. Thank you so much for responding.

[Rhapsody]

From my own experience.... I eat when stressed or upset (hence the extra weight) for I use the FAT as a means of protection for ME from men and sexual abuse.
I will not be able to loose all the weight I desire to rid my body of until I deal with the issues that I now keep the weight around for, my own personal wall of protection.... ((((((( HUGS ))))))).

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[Sabrina]

((((((((((((( Hugs ))))))))))))))))

Rhapsody - I do not have to deal with the "men" issue that you have. (Today that is). I suffered a very similar experience in my ex marriage and gained a phenomonal amount of weight to try and keep my ex husband. Paradox isn't it??

Anyway - I am trying to sya that I appreciate your response and that I also, in my own way, totally understand.

Sending loving thoughts to you!!!