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Eating Disorders

Re: Not Sure...

Posted By: Julie Levin
Date: Saturday, 26 May 2007, at 7:33 a.m.

In Response To: Not Sure... (Kai)

Hi Kai,

If you looked up eating disorders in the diagnosis books, you would probably fall into the category "eating disorder not otherwise specified." This is psychobable for - yes, you have an eating disorder, but it doesn't fit neatly into a particular category.

Here's a much simpler way of defining the problem: if you get hungry > eat > get full > stop eating, you're eating in order. If you're doing something other than this, you're eating in DISorder (make sense?).

More important than definitions, though, is that you're feeling distressed about your eating. Both compulsive eating and restricting food (or compensating with purging, diets, and exercise) are ways to distract yourself from underlying feelings.

The way to cure your eating distress is to get to the heart of your emotional distress (easier said than done). It helps to have a therapist - but only if they really understand that it's the feelings, rather than the weight, that are the problem.

I don't know where you live, but if you visit www.overcomingovereating.com you'll find listings of therapists all over who understand this concept. You're also very welcome to visit my website and blog for more info: www.julielevin.com/emotionaleating.htm.

I hope this helps!

Julie

Messages In This Thread

Not Sure...
Kai -- Monday, 12 February 2007, at 9:05 a.m.

Re: Not Sure...
Julie Levin -- Saturday, 26 May 2007, at 7:33 a.m.