is there one my ED has come back with a bang. I eat and eat till i cant eat no more and i mean i really stuff my face. Dont know if its MH or diabetic related or both. Last time this happened i mentioned it to my p-doc and she just said you dont look as if you have lost weight and that was it. Have a appoiment at EB at n&n next week am going to tell the consultant then i dont know wot to do is there a link?
-
Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Link between Eating Disorders and diabetes ?
- Thread starter gail2
- Start date
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
- Pronouns
- She/Her
You're not alone @gail2. Over the years I have spoken to several people living with diabetes who struggle with their relationship with food, often many self-describe themselves as having an eating disorder - specifically with binging. I think it's even harder when you are looking to lose weight too. There's a couple of webpages you can read for information:
www.diabetes.org.uk
www.diabetes.org.uk
You'll see there is signposting to BEAT in the first link.
I don't think diabetes is the sole factor contributing to this, in my experience I would say MH also plays a part in this too.
The community are here to support you @gail2.
Eating disorders and diabetes
Some people living with diabetes can develop an unhealthy relationship or fixation on food. This can lead to something called disordered eating behaviour or possibly an eating disorder. Diabetes and food are closely linked. Living with diabetes can mean a bigger focus on diet, weight and body...
Your feelings about food and diabetes
Without even realising, you might be an emotional or mindless eater. And when you have diabetes, this can affect your mood and affect you physically too. This could be eating when you are not hungry as a way to relieve feelings of stress, sadness or even boredom. This can often be a bar of...
You'll see there is signposting to BEAT in the first link.
I don't think diabetes is the sole factor contributing to this, in my experience I would say MH also plays a part in this too.
The community are here to support you @gail2.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Definitely a good shout to talk to the team about this next week. Between now and then you can share any struggles you're facing with this here. As always, the community are here to support, or even distract with other chat / conversations.
thank you from the bottom of my hert. been keeping a 100% honest food book it does not make good reading
dont want to tell my pdoc at moment as last one i told just said you dont seem to be loosing any weight and left it there Its not all the time its just when my MH plays up at times I dont know if its my way of punishing myself or wot
cheers love gail
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Think of the great weight loss progress you have made so far though, @gail2. Sometimes, weight loss can plateau, it's quite natural and a common part of many people's journey.
Keeping a food book/diary is a good idea - it might not be a 'good' read at times. I keep one too, and for me it holds me accountable (to myself). Writing down the foods that aren't necessarily supportive of my own weight loss journey allows me to reflect on everything I've eaten and take a step back to see how much I've actually consumed. It's often a hard reality check for me but, it does help me to self-reflect. To take a step back and think about how horrible and uncomfortable certain foods have made me feel.
Having the best support from your healthcare team is key. It's tough when they haven't been as supportive or not helped in a way in which you expected them to. You can only be honest with them and put your foot down to make sure your voice is heard. It is easier said than done, I know it is. Is there anyone you could take with you to the appointment next week for support?
Keeping a food book/diary is a good idea - it might not be a 'good' read at times. I keep one too, and for me it holds me accountable (to myself). Writing down the foods that aren't necessarily supportive of my own weight loss journey allows me to reflect on everything I've eaten and take a step back to see how much I've actually consumed. It's often a hard reality check for me but, it does help me to self-reflect. To take a step back and think about how horrible and uncomfortable certain foods have made me feel.
Having the best support from your healthcare team is key. It's tough when they haven't been as supportive or not helped in a way in which you expected them to. You can only be honest with them and put your foot down to make sure your voice is heard. It is easier said than done, I know it is. Is there anyone you could take with you to the appointment next week for support?
AndBreathe
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- In remission from Type 2
@gail2 - I was very badly affected by an eating disorder in my late 20s, so many moons ago now. At the time I was living overseas and was very fortunate to receive excellent treatment, helping me to become well.
The spectre of an ED Never leaves, in my experience and when diagnosed T2 I was terrified my ED would revisit in some way. I'm glad to say I was able to deal with my fears mindfully and escaped.
For me, I don't associate my T2 and ED, but I can see how others might.
As people living with diabetes, we have to spend more time thinking about food that many others and I can understand why, compared with a similar group of folks without diabetes, more folks living with diabetes develop an eating disorder than those without a diagnosis of diabetes.
Again, personally, I hate associating everything with diabetes, but it sometimes happens.
In your shoes, you are doing absolutely the right thing reaching out for help. I hope you are able to see someone with decent knowledge of both conditions.
Well done talking about these things, @gail2 . It's best to have these things out in the open.
The spectre of an ED Never leaves, in my experience and when diagnosed T2 I was terrified my ED would revisit in some way. I'm glad to say I was able to deal with my fears mindfully and escaped.
For me, I don't associate my T2 and ED, but I can see how others might.
As people living with diabetes, we have to spend more time thinking about food that many others and I can understand why, compared with a similar group of folks without diabetes, more folks living with diabetes develop an eating disorder than those without a diagnosis of diabetes.
Again, personally, I hate associating everything with diabetes, but it sometimes happens.
In your shoes, you are doing absolutely the right thing reaching out for help. I hope you are able to see someone with decent knowledge of both conditions.
Well done talking about these things, @gail2 . It's best to have these things out in the open.
Taffyboyslim
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
There is no doubt that I developed diabetes 2 from comfort eating due to depression
My psychiatrist has referred me to the primary eating disorders unit for some input but I don't have a problem bad enough for long term help which I fully understand
My psychiatrist has referred me to the primary eating disorders unit for some input but I don't have a problem bad enough for long term help which I fully understand
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Have the team been able to offer you some support even though it's not for the long term, @Taffyboyslim? There's some useful and supportive information here which I hope you'll find helpful:
Emotional eating, sugar cravings and feasting
PhoebeC
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I don't think MH can be split off from other conditions, it's not like breaking a bone, your mind is the overall driver of the body and who you are, if anything is off with the body or the mind it impacts the other. How many of us have lost someone we loved and felt like we had no energy, no appetite, very unwell etc. you can be physically at the peak of health but how you feel matters.
High blood sugars can cause mood swings, anger, and lead to depression etc, dealing with diabetes has a mental load, this can be mentally and physically impacting, and ED's never heal, and the like to pop up when the person is under other pressure so yes they are linked, because it is impossible to unlink these matters.
High blood sugars can cause mood swings, anger, and lead to depression etc, dealing with diabetes has a mental load, this can be mentally and physically impacting, and ED's never heal, and the like to pop up when the person is under other pressure so yes they are linked, because it is impossible to unlink these matters.
Deb_l
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yes, I absolutely believe overeating and binge eating are a food disorder but trying to get assistance and help for a condition that isn't generally recognised is virtually impossible.
Emotional eating is often associated with stress, anxiety and depression but overeating can also occur when you are wonderfully happy and without a care in the world.
Overweight and obese people are often seen as lazy and not able to control themselves but often what they cannot control is the food noise in their head that is constantly telling them to eat. They know it's not good for them but they can't stop - just like any addiction!
All that being said, I don't know what the answer is. I really wish I did. I have rollercoastered up and down in weight for the last 10 years now. Not just a few pounds at a time but several stones at a time. I have tried counselling which didn't help. The last one just told me not to buy the food! If only it was that flippin simple......................
I'm currently self-funding Mounjaro but it isn't helping............yet. The food noise is still strong. Maybe not as bad but it's definitely still there.
Keep logging on here and getting the support from this group - they are amazing! Try and get as much support from your local health services as you can. Good luck, it's not easy xx
Emotional eating is often associated with stress, anxiety and depression but overeating can also occur when you are wonderfully happy and without a care in the world.
Overweight and obese people are often seen as lazy and not able to control themselves but often what they cannot control is the food noise in their head that is constantly telling them to eat. They know it's not good for them but they can't stop - just like any addiction!
All that being said, I don't know what the answer is. I really wish I did. I have rollercoastered up and down in weight for the last 10 years now. Not just a few pounds at a time but several stones at a time. I have tried counselling which didn't help. The last one just told me not to buy the food! If only it was that flippin simple......................
I'm currently self-funding Mounjaro but it isn't helping............yet. The food noise is still strong. Maybe not as bad but it's definitely still there.
Keep logging on here and getting the support from this group - they are amazing! Try and get as much support from your local health services as you can. Good luck, it's not easy xx
Taffyboyslim
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
The psychiatric team ?Have the team been able to offer you some support even though it's not for the long term, @Taffyboyslim? There's some useful and supportive information here which I hope you'll find helpful:
Emotional eating, sugar cravings and feasting
No , I only see him occasionally
Taffyboyslim
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I have been referred to the local primary care eating disorder unit
I have been told I have disorderd eating .....which means not bad enough to have specialist help
- Relationship to Diabetes
- At risk of diabetes
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Did you get to see someone at the primary care eating disorder unit or did they say you don't qualify for the specialist help?
Taffyboyslim
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I am under a psychiatrist but don't meet the criteria for specialist eating disorder treatment under his team
So I have to be seen by the more basic , primary care service
Taffyboyslim
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
And it's a 3 month wait
I am OK with that though as I recognise it's not my main problem