I just realized something about myself.... So,when I'm around people,I feel constantly hungry and I will eat A LOT. But when I'm by myself I rarely eat. Like right now,I'm alone. I was SUUUUPER hungry like,I felt like I was gonna pass out,I ordered a pizza,I ate one piece and felt STUFFED. Usually when I have pizza around others,I can eat like 5 pieces.

I've sort of come to the conclusion that I eat a bunch around other because of my anxiety. (I have agoraphobia...) But I didn't realize until now that it was also affecting the way I eat...

idk....discuss? Give me your opinions,tell me about things like this that happen to you.

- Allot of people are like that I think. Just it comes out in different ways.

I used to smoke a whole lot more around other people. It gave me something to fiddle with and concentrate on.

Yeah... It's just that sometimes I'll keep eating around other people,no matter how full I am or how much my stomach hurts because of it. I hate it... I feel like when I do that,people just stare at me,and when they stare it makes me more nervous and I eat more to distract myself from their stares ; __ ;

I'm overweight too (of course...) I used to be 130lbs I'm about 180lbs now :(

I have read a few studies about how our appetite is modified when we are around other people, it's basically a social-specific phenomena. But I think your problem may also be a symptom of some kind of anxiety disorder as well.

Are you on any medications for anything? How old are you? And do you have a history of eating disorders?

I kind of have the same thing. My appetite skyrockets when I'm feeling strong emotions. It doesn't matter if it's positive of negative emotion. I'll eat when I'm stressed to take my mind off things, when I'm sad to make myself feel better, when I'm happy because I just don't care and everything is awesome, or when I'm bored because it's something to do. Food does have an affect on the brain, and is a way to release endorphins in the brain. I think it's normal for people to eat as a way to deal with things.

That's interesting.

I am not on any medication. Also,the only thing I've been diagnosed with is major depressive disorder,if that helps. I've been on different anti-depressant before,and sleeping pills. ummm they were celexa,fluoxetine and trazadone

I don't think that's all I have(depression),I usually don't tell doctors or therapists everything,I just generally distrust people,especially authority figures.

-starry It's weird though,because I honestly don't like eating. Like,when I think about food,and the process of eating it just sounds so unpleasant to me. (idk if that makes any sense)

Do you think you have or have had any eating disorders that were not diagnosed?

If you find this compulsive eating to be very distressing (and to me, it seems like you do) then I think you need to talk to a doctor about it. What is it specifically that you distrust about them?

I don't know. I've never really thought of it as a disorder I guess.

I do... I don't know what it is I distrust about them,but it's probably because my mother wasn't around to help me when my brothers would bully me (and I was bullied in school too) I guess I feel like authority figures don't really WANT to help,they just do because they get money for it idk

also I'm 21

I am not an expert on eating disorders, but when you say you don't like eating, a red flag goes off in my head. If you do not have a primary care physician already, I would urge you to find one and start discussing this topic. They will either diagnose you and think of a treatment or refer you to a doctor who knows better than they do; I'm not sure if they would send you to a psychiatrist or treat you personally, or they may recommend you to a nutritionist, I can't say for sure.

What I can tell you with certainty, though, is that a majority of healthcare professionals are not just in it for the money; that's your depression talking (which you should also be getting treated for).

I understand where you're coming from about not liking to eat. I'm recovering from a bad eating disorder and woud only eat when I felt extreme emotion. The rest of the time I would consciously fast or have no appetite at all. If it's starting to affect your health, I would talk to someone about it. Even if you distrust them, doctors are there to help you.

Oh okay...

I guess....I don't know... I feel like everyone is out to get me somehow...

I guess I do the same actually... I never really thought that it could be an eating disorder... I should talk to a doctor... I just.... I don't know....

Not only do I distrust them,I also have no money or insurance... So getting help right now is pretty much impossible...

Your parents can't pay for health insurance?

For the longest time, I didn't think I had an eating disorder, either. I made excuses for why my eating habits were the way they were. Finally it got bad enough that I called a place that specialized in EDs. Places will usually work with you about cost, insurance coverage, and payment plans. Like I said, doctors and health care professionals want to help you get better. It's what they chose to do. If anything, I would suggest getting a professional opinion about whether you have an ED and what you can do to get better.

I stopped talking to my mother over a year ago,and my father is homeless.

-starry Hmmm Okay.

Did the ED you had have a specific name?

Are you going to college or a university?

No.

Alright, then I think you should try calling this hotline number 1-800-273-TALK it is a suicide prevention hotline, but it can be used by anyone in emotional distress who needs help. They should be able to help you find a way to get some treatment for your problems.

I don't know where you're from, but I'm from Minnesota. I went to Park Nicollet Melrose Institute if you want to check it out and see what kind of stuff places have to offer. They also have a page to all kinds of helpful websites for dealing with EDs.

Melrose Insitute Additional Resources National Eating Disorders Association

EDIT: I had binge eating disorder. I had symptoms of both anorexia and bulimia.

I've called suicide prevention hotlines before.... They were nice enough,I guess but they weren't very professional. The lady I talked to kept complaining about another person that was calling constantly. :/ So I'm a little weary of suicide prevention hotlines.

I'm from Ohio

I went to the additional resources section and looked at the binge eating disorders sign & symptoms I'm pretty sure now that I have it... :( I have all of the symptoms/signs listed....

Sometimes I'll gain or lose 10lbs in a week... There's been times where I lost almost 30lbs (in a few weeks) and then gained it back (plus more sometimes) in a very short amount of time.

If that's what you think you have, please please please get help for it. I honestly didn't realize how much my ED was controlling my life until I went to treatment for it. You deserve to be healthy and happy.