I am 19 years old, 5'5 and weigh 180 pounds. I am female and attending college right now. I don't like leaving my apartment. I only leave my apartment when necessary- for class, or when I run down to the convenience store to buy binge foods. I feel like food is taking control over my life. When I'm not eating I am thinking about eating. I feel empty when I eat. I feel empty all day long. I can't even feel hunger or fullness. I am trapped inside of my own body and need support. Help? Thanks guys

Welcome allottaalexis16,

You've come to the right place for support.

Be sure to check out the 20 somethings Forum to find other folks at college right now.

Wish you well on your journey.

Hi!
I'm 19 as well, and I struggle a lot with binging! I've been binging ever since I was a child, or overeating as it was back then, as well as comfort eating. I know the struggle and the battle it is, I haven't won myself, but I'm on my way there! I'd love to be a support for you

Im not sure if you know this but it has become apparent to the medical community and obezity specialists that people who binge eat are often unknowingly trying to increase the seretonin and dopamine levels in the brain(the chemicals in the brain responsible for happiness) They found that those patients who binge eat, when given a seretonin inhibitor drug(form of anti depressent responsible for increasing production of seretonin) eat less or stop binging altogether because the body is no longer looking to increase the levels...

With this information in mind..you might want to consider the possibility of seeing a doctor and trying to get an ssri drug to help your brain out and by doing that you will feel better and may very likly stop binging...

I personally believe food is not taking over your life; it's you who is allowing it to happen! You have made your food a comfort zone! Now its up to you to change it!
1. start by buying apples, walnuts or any type of nuts you can eat on while in the house.
2. Also buy some gum
3. When you are bored log on to youtube to workout
4. if that does not work read a book or go for a walk.
5. It's good to be socialable and interactive with others.
I say this because I go to college from home. So, I'm always in the house as well. For me to not Binge; I do all these things I listed above

I'm 19 years old as well and I have had issues with bingeing too. The one thing that helped me stay clean was exercise and running. Be sure to get some sort of exercise in, even if for 15 min. Start out small and increase the intensity and duration weekly. Exercise always gives me a natural high that is difficult to replicate with food. It may seem tough in the beginning but over time your body will thank you for it. Read lots of nutrition and fitness blogs/sites well, for inspiration. Good luck!

I've recently started a low dose of Prozac to try to help control my binging. It's too early to say whether it's going to help or not but basically my doctor said Porthardygurl, that binge eating or binge eating disorder (an eating disoder) is being thought these days as a chemical imbalance rather than say emotional trauma or even poor eating habits. I think you should speak to your doctor ASAP! Good luck.

There is a thread in the Chicks in Control section on the book Brain over Binge. This book is excellent and there is quite a discussion over there about it.

Hello,
i suggest you to do some sort of exercise and see its result.and if this can't help you than you should go to your doctor's.everything will be alright .God bless you!

I never had problems with binging, however I hope you find your solution.. I can't imagine how tough it must be :/ Good luck though.