I have been a compulsive eater for many years, but I have now decided to
stop. For almost two weeks it has gone very well. This evening however, I
sat here and felt awful and sad. It all began at 3 p.m. today. Peter
arrived here to have coffee with me; he was formerly my workmate. I don't
know him very well. I thought it was a totally pointless visit as I don't
get anything out of talking to him. I don't know whether I sense that
Peter is interested in me, but I am not at all interested in him.
Then I went to visit my mother who has recently had an operation and been
unable to work, which she finds boring and depressing. I became terribly
hungry when I was there and ate cottage cheese and yoghurt. In the
evening I had arranged to meet my friend James in town. I felt very
restless and worried and a longing for goodies came irresistibly over me.
I tried to lie down and relax, but couldn't, perhaps because my mother was
sitting here. I told her that I could just as well go into town earlier
and look at the shops. I knew that this time I wouldn't be able to stop my
gluttony, but I said goodbye and left. On the way I went into a shop and
bought biscuits, a packet of cookies, half a kilo of small goodies, mainly
chocolate and much more. I ate them all up on the way into town and when I
got there I didn't feel well. I was sad and wasn't keen on meeting James.
(Both James and Peter are only friends for me, I am not interested in them
as boyfriends).
James didn't come; actually I only waited for a few minutes and then went.
He phoned just now; he had been standing on the other side and we missed
each other, but we shall try again next week. On the way home I intended
to buy my favourite salad, but I bought two double hamburgers instead!
My question is: Why just today? My situation is the same as yesterday when
I didn't binge. Whatever it is I intend to struggle and not give up.
Susanne (age 22)
Answer:
If you say yes when you mean no, you will binge. You talked to Peter for a
long time even though you thought the visit was pointless and you got
nothing out of it. Perhaps you also had guilt feelings because you don't
like him, but you feel that he likes you.
I think you try to be pleasant and kind to everybody. This means that you
probably suppress feelings which you think are unsuitable. Today I believe
you wanted to ask Peter to go at once, but you felt you couldn't do it.
Perhaps you were unconsciously angry at being compelled to keep company
which you felt was pointless. I also believe that you thought it was
boring to be with your mother when she was ill and depressed, but you
couldn't admit it even to yourself. If you are going to come to terms with
your binge eating it is necessary for you to begin to feel and admit your
real feelings and take the consequences. This doesn't mean that you need
to be unkind, but that you learn to speak your mind in a friendly way. Why
keep company with Peter if you aren't happy with him? Give him a chance to
meet another girl. Concerning your relation to your mother, it is
important that you admit and accept your real feelings for her.
Se also
Accepting and then changing your mind
|
Top
Discuss this 
Print
New Question 
Answers
Copyright 2003-2008 Web4Health