Nurses with eating disorders?

Axgrinder · Aug 10, 2016

I'll share: my son is a binge eater. He addicted to food, namely fast food and sweets. He's also addicted to the internet and video games. He's 22 y.o. and has had these disorders since he turned 8. It's heart breaking. The amount of food he can eat in a very short amount of time is incredible. We as a family been in different types of counseling, and he has been in various addiction treatment for years, but nothing has helped the urges. Even on Rx appetite suppressants he still has the urge to consume large amounts of food. I'm not talking about a steak - 2 extra large loaded pizzas in one sitting for example. He has been stealing money from my husband and I to go out to eat for a long time. He blew his $800.00 tax return all on junk food. Due to the amount of money he has been stealing from us my husband finally gave him an ultimatum to seek help or move out. He's supposed to go to his first Over Eater's Anonymous meeting today. I would do anything - ANYTHING - to help him achieve a state of balance and recovery. He just is unable to control his urges even when he really wants to. I would gladly, willingly take his place if it meant he could finally be free.

I very much understand the mechanism of addiction. Both my parents were heroine addicts. I moved out at age 17, and got through nursing school on grants, scholarships, and minimal student loans. My son is an addict, some of his vices are things we can't even find help for in our area - things I never imagined someone could be addicted to. Addiction is an equal opportunity condition - welcoming all races, creeds, religions, genders, ages, and financial status to it's table with open arms. All are welcome - no one is turned away based on a technicality.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 10, 2016

I think I have discussed this before, but I am a stress eater; I developed this coping mechanism when I was diagnosed with PTSD-it graduated from partying/drinking coping to eating, especially when I returned to working in the nursing world after being out of work, and more so within the last two years because I was on an atypical antipsychotic (which I tapered off) helped compound the issue.

I struggled with my weight when I was in a DV relationship; being chronically underweight when I got my restraining order-knew it and stopped reading the scale and when I survived my near death experience I gained 40 lbs over the course of that acute traumatic experience event; since I was hospitalized and had surgery, I went back to my normal weight, but then would creep back up to 20 lbs overweight, then I was 40 lbs then I was 60lbs overweight; a lot of it due to stress eating after a stressful day at work, or being upset, in conjunction with being triggered by PTSD instead of anxiety or anger, the food would be my coping mechanism so I can control my PTSD symptoms.

I have lost about 30 of those pounds as of today-at the PCP as we speak(it's about the same as my home scale since Sunday) and most of that was food choices-if I'm stressed, I'm going to choose meditation and yoga, and eat something delicious and lower in calories; however, if I want something deliciously gooey and greasy, that's ok too in moderation, and I do like being a foodie, but I will remind myself to not use food as a coping mechanism for anger or natural feelings of stress, and will bake instead. :cheeky:

RubyRabbit, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2016

Hi all,

I just wanted to point out that it's perfectly normal to be body-conscious or have less-than-healthy eating habits. Many people find eating to be a stress relieving act, hence the term "comfort foods".

Looking at our world today, processed junk food is abundant and can be prepared quickly. Exercise does not happen naturally as many people have sedentary jobs (and many people must work overtime in order to make ends meet). All while simultaneously, media is bombarding us with the "ideal" body image. This is causing many people to develop a negative relationship with food. Much more contributes to this, but I'm sure you are all already aware of what's going on. The important thing to note is that these are external forces working on us, making it more difficult than before to maintain a healthy level of nutrition.

EDs are actually psychological disorders that go beyond the occasional feelings of guilt or irregular patterns of eating. They can quickly become crippling or even fatal, and the person may feel complete lack of control over his/her impulses. In many cases, patients describe that the disorder no longer becomes about food and the fear of becoming overweight, but more so about having complete control over a single aspect of their lives. Like many mental disorders, however, EDs are widely misunderstood.

It is important to be observant- after all, your kind intervention may save somebody. However, please do not assume somebody suffers from an ED without reasonable cause. Thin people may simply be thin. People can have different eating habits due to disorders, certain medications, religious practices, allergies, etc.

I experienced a phase several years ago and lost about 30 lbs in a month, making me underweight. It's strange for me to recall this, but there was a time when the mere thought of keeping food down made me feel horrible. I'm lucky to say that I grew out of this. As I matured, the habits dwindled and it no longer made sense to me anymore. I'm unaffected by this today, but I recognize that the option to slip back into old practices may always be there. When I began working, I think it actually helped me. Encouraging patients and educating family members about positive health made me want to take my own advice. It was as if I didn't want it badly enough for myself, but wanting it for other people opened my eyes to it. For those of you who are working and affected by an ED, try to find motivation rather than triggers. You must set a great example- you are a beacon of health to people! Engage with groups who will keep you accountable to your goals (friends who expect you in the cafeteria at lunchtime, etc.) And if you care for the people who come through your doors, remember that you must take care of yourself in order to take care of them.

Mhsrnbsn · Aug 10, 2016

I am a bulimic in recovery... Many many years of therapy finally helped me break the cycle but yes working with obese patients really triggers me into negative thoughts. But it's been two years since I have had an "episode"

No one that I know of ever really suspected it from me.. my wedding dress was a size 3 and I weighed 100 pounds at only 5 ft tall! Being short helped mask how small I was. I would eat with my coworkers and run to the bathroom to force vomiting after under the guise that I preferred to brush my teeth when finished eating, which I did anyway cause I didn't want people to smell vomit on my breath. I also was always at the gym and ran 5 miles a day. I was in shape, while thin I had some muscle mass so most people just felt I took care of myself. On my off days I'd mix the vomiting with the laxatives to make sure I wouldn't gain weight .

working with obese patients leads my mind to dark hallways, and I am right now the heaviest I ever been in my entire life. My physician, aware of my history, has failed at finding a creative way to tell me to lose weight. She said "at your weight right now, I really don't think it would be horrible for you to try portion control or maybe rejoin the gym, just don't take it to extremes like when you were ill". I love food, I hate the price your body has to pay for it. But now that I am "over weight" it is really toying with my mind and I hate it.

I pray any nurse with an eating disorder be it medicating your feelings with food, or starving yourself for fear of being "fat", or being bulimic like me where you're just a "fun" mix of both finds healing. We all have the knowledge to know what these extreme disorders will cost us in terms of our health. and pray for me as I try to lose weight the healthy way, it's a daily struggle to keep your mind in check for the sake of your body.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 10, 2016

.... and will bake instead.

I too use baking as a coping against stress, and for some completely unknown reason it gives huge relief. I found it strange at first but when I got involved in King Arthurs' "baking circle" I saw tons of people from all walks of life sharing the same experience. Couple of pounds of "french layers" and life is great again!

As I am kinda conscious about my family waistlines, most of goodies goes to benefit my coworkers who don't, generally, oppose it at the least:).

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2016

I can't bake or bring anything sweet home, otherwise it will be gone. I purposely avoid the treat aisles at the store.

Happi2016 · Aug 11, 2016

I wish people would refrain from making comments about other people's eating or body sizes in general. Often people are quick to say the obese need to eat less and move more without realizing that some obese people have serious eating disorders! In fact I do wonder if all obese and ultra thin people have disordered eating. And why is it that if someone is diabetic or gets cancer we have so much sympathy and understanding for them, but somehow many people view eating disorders or disordered eating as being a choice? How come it is considered ok to fat shame or make fun of a thin person? Would anyone choose the pain of being so thin their bones hurt and they can't stay warm or of being so fat they can't find a mate, adopt a child, etc.? Obviously something is really wrong either in a mental or actual physiological way. I personally believe it is all related to brain chemistry and propensity towards addiction. Highly processed foods cause our body to release feel good chemicals. Some people become addicted that way. Other people get a high by not eating or by eating and purging, etc. Not sure what the solution is but empathy and understanding could go a long way. Glad to see it all discussed here in this forum. Thanks to the brave souls who shared their stories and hearts.

madricka, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2016

I have a lifetime history of eating disorders -- half my life restricting, the other binge eating (& restricting or lax use to compensate) -- I'm presently double my lowest weight (which is strange). Things really escalated when I started working in critical care -- to the point where I finally had to admit out loud that I had an eating disorder because it became an intense obsession (I was the queen of hiding it). I ended up taking 4 months off work (medical leave) to attend a daily out-patient program (which, of course, caused quite the curiosity at work since everyone assumed I was in rehab! I was honest about where I was when I returned, I'd rather have them gossiping about the truth rather than lies). I left the after-care program in treatment early because I had some major issues with the program and staff, but I'm glad I went in the beginning.

Was treatment a "cure"? Absolutely not. I will likely struggle with eating/food for the rest of my life. It will never feel natural to me. But when I left day hospital I did end up with an amazing psychiatrist (trained in psychotherapy) and I'm still seeing her regularly, years later.

The sad part is that I have seen ED in other nurses (one in particular) -- maybe it takes one to know one? But how to help them? I know if anyone has said anything to me about my eating/weight I would have gone ballistic and told them to mind their business and leave me alone (& denied, of course). And, as with most psych issues, unless the individual wants help you can pretty much forget it.

cirqul8r · Aug 11, 2016

I don't think I have an eating disorder, just naturally slender. I don't exercise or restrict calories, but I also don't overeat. My BMI is 20, and I work on not losing weight. But I'm getting tired of coworkers commenting on how skinny I am. Especially when they playfully poke me in the ribs and say "look how thin you are!" Or comment about my snack of yogurt with "no wonder you're so thin, look at what you're eating." How would they feel if I poked them in their ample belly and said "look how fat you are" or said "no wonder you're so fat, look at what you're eating"?!

thanks for letting me vent.

smartassmommy · Aug 11, 2016

My reaction to stress is to eat. While I have never been officially diagnosed with an eating disorder, I know that I am not always in control of my eating -- and eat way too much food when I am not even hungry. I realize it while I am doing it, but can't always stop myself.
Good luck to everyone here who is struggling with an unhealthy relationship with food.

I understand completely. Plus is anyone 100% certain at what point we cross the line into an ED?

joanna73, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2016

I understand completely. Plus is anyone 100% certain at what point we cross the line into an ED?

Depends on the behaviours and the number of times you binge/ exercise/ purge in a week. Regardless of defined criteria, many people walk that fine line, whether they decide to admit it or not.

At least we are talking about it more.

Emergent, RN · Aug 12, 2016

I just want to say, for our ancestors, food was a preoccupation, rightfully. For many of us, our DNA is still telling us to feast while there is plenty to prepare for inevitable shortages. This was a survival mechanism before the very recent time in history of constant supply, refrigeration, supermarkets.

I was lucky to grow up with a health conscious Mom who cooked from scratch and never bought chips, pop, candy, etc. Therefore, I've always been a healthy weight, with good eating habits.

The constant supply of chemical laden, sugary preprepared food has messed with people in a serious way. Add to that the car culture, TV, video games, and there you have it.

Humans today actually eat fewer calories than our ancestors.