[labyrinth572]

I've never been certain that diagnosis is the best possible thing, but in terms of Depression, I think it can really help clarify things. Even though I don't take medication for it, having depression explains a lot about the past two years of my life. Without it, I'm just an antisocial loser layabout. (which ironically makes me even more depressed just thinking about it).
I was diagnosed with depression by a psychiatrist, but though I was never yet diagnosed, I also believe that I may have EDNOS (binge eating disorder). This one is harder to pinpoint. I'm not obviously overweight, but I do have health problems that I'm sure are from eating too much and not exercising. I have tried to change in the past, I know logically what to do, but emotions take over and I end up right back where I started.
So, while I'm struggling to understand if I have an eating disorder or not, and struggling with depression, my mother seems to disbelieve both disorders.
Every time depression comes up, she has logical suggestions as to what I'm not doing: It's all mind over matter, she seems to say. And with the binge eating, it's even worse. She once admitted that depression exists. But she won't recognize the possibility that I have an eating problem.
This is all terrible because, living with her, I need emotional support. I do not have a friend group to turn to right now, and I need a safe living space. But she won't give either of these things to me. I have asked her various times to buy fewer desserts (I binge on icecream, baked goods, not chips), but she always tells me it's not her problem.
I have a hard time recognizing that it is not her problem. But, say I was an alcoholic, and she was a heavy drinker. Would she expect me to go cold turkey while continuing to stock the house with lots of liquor? Is that how someone is supposed to get over an addictive behavior? By resisting in the most difficult to resist environment?
I understand now that she can't give me the emotional support I need to overcome my depression. But is it really too much to ask her to keep the sweets out of the house?

[barx]

That's sad that your mom doesn't understand what you are dealing with. Or, she may be doing the best she can but is incapable of supporting you in the way that you need it? Sometimes one of my kids will mention something that they are struggling with and I do something similar as your mom. I try to minimize the issue, knowing full well that I see what they're talking about, but in order to keep them from dwelling on it, I try to give logic or be upbeat about it. However, if it persists, then I will change paths and definitely support them however I can. Sometimes, I just don't know what to say to them.

Is there a support group close by? Maybe you can find emotional support there? I think it's important to have your mom's support, but It may be even better to be able to share stories with people who are dealing with difficult issues. It just feels good knowing that you're not alone and sometimes it can make all the difference in the world.