Question for you guys -- I am aware that I am a compulsive over eater. Always have been and tbh I think I've picked up a lot of that from my parents. I'm an emotional eater as well. So Tuesday I am going to begin therapy with a psychologist that specializes in women's health - specifically eating disorders and COE. I really feel like maybe getting to roots of some of my issues may help me in this journey and may help me stay on track for good.

Has anyone else tried this? What should I expect? Did it work?

My degrees are in psychology (bachelor's and master's degrees), and I think I went into the field to figure myself out, as much as to help people.

I strongly believe in the helpfulness of counseling, and most of my life assumed that my weight problems, and compulsive/emotional eating had to be rooted in psychological issues. I went through counseling (which helped me in other areas of my life, but not in controlling my eating), I joined OA (and was a member for years).

I can't say that it didn't help, but I can say that I've found that most of the issues I assumed (and was told) were psychological, turned out to be more physiological.

I'm NOT saying this is true of everyone - but when I was continuing to have eating issues while in therapy - I was told I wasn't being "open" enough, was resistant to change... a lot of psychobabble as it turned out.

Again, I'm not anti-counseling. I'm very pro-counseling, and have used and benefited from it, and have recommended it highly. Having an impartial sounding board, if nothing else can be a godsend.

However, I found that years of counseling and "working on my issues," was not nearly as effective (for weight loss) as some simple physiological changes.

When I gave up crash dieting, over 10 years ago - binging disappeared "magically."

Birth control has helped me control my hormonal "crazy" hunger during PMS and TOM.

Low-GI/low carb eating controls my hunger to the point that on a low carb diet, I don't get intensely hungry. The compulsion to eat is DRASTICALLY reduced.

I'm convinced that if I'd discovered these things at 200 lbs - I never would have gotten any heavier than that.

I have only lost since finding the physiological issues. No significant regains (except when I've tried to return to high carb eating).

I'm not saying any of this is true for you - just asking that you consider physiological factors as well as psychological. The assumption that obesity is a primarily psychological disorder, isn't founded in science, but in prejudice.

I'm not saying that you shouldn't address psychological factors - just recommending that you consider the possibility of physiological ones also.

Fantastic advice! I will certainly keep that in mind! Therapy isn't STRICTLY for these issues... Although I will admit it is the number one reason I've decided to proceed with it. Thank you for sharing!

I first started going to therapy when I was 14, right after my parents got divorced, and continued going until I graduated from high school last summer (I plan on going when I'm in town, but I don't want to have two therapist and I love my one at home). The reasons why I started going and the reasons why I kept going are completely different. Within a few months I realized that my parent's were happier divorced and were still good friends, and that it had nothing to do with me, but I kept going to help me deal with my food issues and to try and help me deal with other things. I think a lot of people are afraid of therapy because they think it means that they are admitting that they are 'crazy', however, having someone who is completely neutral who will listen to you and support you and help you get to the root of your problems is a great asset. I am all for therapy, so long as whoever is going realizes that it isn't a cake walk and will most likely involve some not so nice moments. But all in all, it is a wonderful experience.

Did that help any? Sorry if I just went on and on, but I'm a big supporter of therapy, and I just wanted to put my 2 cents in.

-Effie

I agree that physiological issues should certainly be addressed either before or during addressing psychological issues. However, I think that psychological issues can get in the way of changing those physiological issues for good. The moral I'm getting at is that they both have to be looked at, and I think a combination of advice from a counselor and advice from a doctor/dietician is a smart choice for most overweight men and women.

That said, I've never seen a therapist about my weight, but if I can ever afford it, I would like to.

Congratulations on taking the steps to therapy. You're almost there! Therapy can be extremely useful. Especially if you believe there is a deeper issue at root of your weight and even if there isn't, therapy can still be very effective in other aspects of life. I have not been to therapy for coe, though I don't think I have that; however, in highschool when I was being treated for bulimia, therapy was an intregral part of my recovery as well as very important to my general mental state at the time. Good luck!