Individualized Programming and Family Involvement

Question:

I realize that bulimia, like many other eating disorders and addictions is a way of thinking and reacting - and for me it becomes a pattern that I feel has more to do with my brain functioning, (triggers) than anything else. When I am not in the pattern of binging and purging I am fine, and don't think about it. But as soon as I start doing it again, it is extremely difficult to break. Because food is a part of life and something we must be healthy about in order to survive and function properly, I need to start having a better relationship with eating and food. But first I want to break the pattern of binging and purging. I want to stop the urge. Do you have any suggestions as what I can do when I feel I want to eat and then throw up? Any good distractions or ways of thinking? I feel its like a drug, and once the brain gets the idea that it wants to binge and then purge, food becomes my heroine, and the urge is almost impossible to resist. Any help would be much appreciated!! Many thanks...

Answer:

There is compelling research that shows both the binge and the purge is associated with low serotonin. In addition, individuals taking serotonin-boosting medications, i.e., prozac decreased their carbohydrate cravings. Also, in support of your experience that “food becomes my heroine”, some researchers believe that once the binge-purge cycle is established, drug-like behavior with serotonin 5HT receptors perpetuates this behavior. Ask your doctor about serotonin re-uptake medications to support breaking the cycle bio-chemically.

In addition, you are on to the right idea by finding ways to not go to the binge-purge behavior. There are many great distractions and change of thinking to help break the cycle. The following are a few: 1) practice thought-stopping by seeing a stop sign in your mind’s eyes when you catch your mind racing or going to unhealthy thinking; 2) journal your feelings and thoughts; 3) move by taking a walk; 4) leave the triggering environment; 5) talk to someone; 6) breathe – practice being in the moment; 7) focus on a craft project; 8) have a puzzle you are doing ongoing; 9) focus on making a card or gift for someone else; 10) do the opposite behavior to evoke an opposite emotion, e.g., if sad, watch a comedy and 11) do something with you hands, e.g., knitting or hook rug.

With Joy,

Dr Patricia Pitts

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