Here's my problem, and I'm hoping someone here can relate. I know how to make better food choices and I own a treadmill. You would think I'm on my way to losing weight and better health, right? Wrong!
I start my day off fine. I make very good choices, take in about 700 calories before dinner, plan a very healthy meal for me and the kids, then WAMMO! My body starts turning on me. By the time I get home from work, my chest tightens and I feel like I'm having an anxiety attack. The only way I can make it go away is eating. So by the end of the day, with the best of intentions, I end up eating uncontrollably anyways. And to top it off, I feel so sluggish and depressed because of the eating, I end up sulking on the couch and for the life of me CAN'T get up on that treadmill 2 feet away! What is wrong with me?
I can't follow a healthy lifestyle because of this. It happens daily and like clockwork. I was on Xanax for the anxiety, but it didn't help. Anything stronger is out of the question. (I hear they have bad sexual side effects, and I'm a prude as it is! Hubby would be very disappointed.)
Why does my body do this to me? Why does it feel like my heart is going to explode if I don't eat something bad for me? Isn't that counter productive of my heart? Please, help me make the pain go away so I can eat less! I really, really want to!
Heidi
173/173/135
Heidi, it sounds to me like you need to go back to the doctor. There are lots of options for managing anxiety. I think you eat because it's the only way you KNOW how to manage these attacks.
I have suffered from anxiety and depression for many years, on and off. The last serious bout, the meds just didn't work, and like you I didn't want to go onto any others. My primary care doctor referred me, on my insistence, to a psychiatrist. We worked together on changing to a smaller dose of a better anti depressant, and then using non-drug methods of managing the anxiety until she felt that i could cope without them.
Would you be able to get some therapy like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy?
I am sure there are plenty of ways of managing these attacks, it's just a matter of finding the correct method for you, and most importantly seeking professional advice.
Yes I agree -- this is definitely an issue that needs professional help. Don't shy away from proper treatment because you've heard some have side effects. Not all side effects happen to everyone, for one thing. For another, you can tell your doctor / therapist what you've heard and let them know what you consider acceptable and not.
It's REALLY important that you keep looking for real solutions and not just hope you can stop eating without it. As ky said, you are currently medicating yourself with food. In order to stop using food you have to find replacement medication, whether that's actual drug therapies or something else.
Call your doctor TOMORROW and see them as soon as possible for an evaluation and referral if necessary. Until you have the underlying cause of the overeating under control, you'll never be able to get the eating under control.
