I may have an eating disorder? (binge eating?)

I've never viewed myself as having an eating disorder, just that eating junk after junk and energy drinks after energy drink (OD on caffeine once, I really do not recommend it!) wasn't healthy.

Today though, I find out eating a lot of food over a short period, even when not hungry, is an eating disorder.

I remember for years, going to the shop early hours of the morning (severe social anxiety),
buying like £10-£20 worth of junk, and then once I start eating it, I eat it all, then eat nothing later in the day, and doing this every day.

(there are times I forget to eat completly though after buying food, which I think it due to my ADHD)

Does this sound like I have an eating disorder?
(I'm completly new to eating disorders, so please excuse my temporary ignorance)

(((Numbered)))

Thank you for this post.

I'm not a medical professional at all.

Honestly, this is merely my personal take.

I think when we are talking about Eating Disorders it is a form of Self Harm. It is used as a deliberate act of Punishment.

I believe there is a difference to a compulsion/addiction to something. With a compulsion/addiction we simply can't stop. It is a drive. Irrespective I mean some people use alcohol as their vice it can be whatever substance. It is a source of self comfort and soothing of difficult emotions.

Now whether of now what you do is classified as an Eating Disorder, I simply can not say.

Hang in there.

Hmm.
I wouldn't be suprised if I self sabotage and punish self.
At one point in my teens I commited a quite serious crime then handed myself into the police as I wanted to go to prison, being on self destruct.
Something it seems I need to look into further.
Thank you Hooligan.

Thanks for sharing your story, Numbed, it's a big step.

I think that if you are considering the possibility that you might have an eating disorder, it is definitely worth a closer look. Counsellors and doctors can help you with some tools to assess yourself; you can probably also find some online. There are quizzes and stuff you can also take, which can be helpful, depending on where you source them from.

I think one of the dangers of classifying eating disorders is that most people assume if they fall outside the realm of 'strictly' anorexic or bulimic, then they don't have an actual eating disorder. Over the years the spectrum of diagnoses continues to change as more understanding develops around disordered eating.

Basically, if it's causing you distress, then it's a problem to you. This forum is always here, and if you decide that you want to find out more or perhaps look at different forms of treatment (should you discern that you have an unhealthy relationship with food and eating that you want to address), perhaps seeking out the help of a medical and/or mental health professional would be a good course of action.

I, too, am not a health professional, so I can't offer any diagnosis or anything. This is simply my opinion informed by years of my own experience and investigation. I wish you all the best on your journey.

I have an eating disorder and have to say it has changed a bit over time. While I don't really "binge" per se I do over eat and eat when not hungry and will even continue to eat when I feel sick. All that said, I've seen a nutritionist before and have attended a support group in real life for it and also belong to some online communities. While not being a professional I can say that often eating disorders do not fit "within the lines" of just one. At this point I would say I have ednos- which is eating disorder not otherwise specified. At that is a REAL disorder, in the dmv and all. In any case, if you find your eating is causing you stress then it doesn't really matter what label you give it. Looking to others who suffer the same as you can be helpful.

I think that if you're thinking you might have an ED, then getting checked out is good. I agree with those who have suggested this. However, I want to stress that Hooligan is right. There's a difference between addiction to junk food than an eating disorder. There are a lot of factors that play into eating disorders and from what you're describing I'm not sure if that'd be considered it or not which is why I fully support you seeing someone about it because they'll be the ones who can help you since we can't diagnose and can only help online so much. (:

I think that the biggest thing to focus on is if this bothers you and that this isn't healthy because the amount of junk food you eat is filling you up instead of healthier foods. When you talk to someone see if you can work out a way to start incorporating healthier foods into your diet. You could possibly be stress eating too. There's just so much that goes into it that you'll really want to talk to a professional.

Something I just talked to my pdoc about today was the fact that a lot of the foods we eat, especially wheat filled ones, can become addicting. He's told me before that wheat lights up the same parts of your brain as morphine does.

So while we cannot tell you if it's an eating disorder, an addiction, or what, just know that if it bothers you then getting help is the first step after admitting you need it. (:

Thank you for sharing your story and I'm so sorry you're dealing with it. ): Support is the best thing when struggling with such hardships but I have faith you'll figure it out!