I keep coming back to you because you tend to hit every issue on the head! I don’t even know what PTSD I am recovering from other than always being put on a diet. Hopefully 2024 will a year of recovery. I am 68 years old so I need it sooner than later❤️

I have learned that this is called "bottom up" behavior. The older and more primitive parts of the brain (stem, limbic) that are wired for survival take over the younger regions of the brain (prefontal cortex) which is more like the adult part but gets shut down when a situation is perceived as threat and binge eating offers a relief. This is why common therapies often don´t work because their approach is top down (e.g. conscious behavior). I am so glad you keep on pointing out that binge eating most of the time is not a choice but that we are literally feel taken over - and this is exactly what happens. This perspective is really helpful, especially with self-compassion.

@pixel9548

6 ай бұрын

Absolutely! Hope I'm not getting obnoxious in these comments by bringing up Morton's and Van der Kolk"s books over and over, but they explain this.

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

@@pixel9548 I appreciate you offering these suggestions to people

@pixel9548

6 ай бұрын

@@TheBingeEatingTherapist I can't stop myself when I get excited!

@TiaraHelen

6 ай бұрын

​@@pixel9548Morton?

@pixel9548

6 ай бұрын

@@TiaraHelen Kati Morton, author of The Body Keeps the Score

That was freaking brilliant. I remember my mother being bewildered by the automatic way she went to the fridge again and again. I have the same problem. I've been reading about trauma and dissociation lately and it's making a lot of sense. This is enormously helpful. Thank you!

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

So glad this was helpful for you ❤

@noneofurbusiness5223

6 ай бұрын

@pixel9548 Would you recommend an easy to read book on first, dissociation & secondly binge eating associated with binge eating.

@pixel9548

6 ай бұрын

@@noneofurbusiness5223 I haven't read anything that specific yet. It was this episode that gave me the Aha! moment. That's when the info from the books linked up with my eating behaviors. The books are Traumatized by Kati Morton (finished it) and The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk (still reading). Neither one is exactly an easy read, but I'm taking it slowly, reading just a few pages a day. They are so dense with info I have to slow down to get it. Both talk about the brain and how we process experiences, especially traumatic ones. I'm learning that almost everyone has experienced trauma at some point. That's where dissociation comes in. The bits on that topic are fascinating.

YES!!!! This is what happens to me.. I've never heard anyone talked about this. 👏🏻👏🏻

I've watched dozens of your videos and podcasts at this point, and this is the first video where I've heard you mention CPTSD. Thank you for validating the effects of CPTSD.

I'm so glad that I have found your channel. You are doing a great job 💪

So interesting to see how many people relate to this. You can look at yourself in the 3rd person, "hold on a minute; why is she walking to the freezer to get out that tub on Haagen Daaz? She's just said that having just one scoop was enough!" It's like watching a movie of someone else. And to all the coaches and self-help books who suggest - just distract yourself, run a bath, or go for a walk... seriously - you understand in that moment that they just don't get it, or have never been there. I don't binge anymore and haven't for a long time, but I still remember the feeling of being taken over and not having the choice. I also make sure to stay away from stressful people and situations as I know that could send me back to that place where I never want to go again. Many blessings and much love to all who are struggling, and so much gratitude to people like Sarah who give help and compassion from a place of knowing and experience.

Thanks you. I see what you call 'dissociation' : and here I thought I was possessed! standing there asking myself "what just happened, and where was I?" and even more sad the fact that after plowing through massive amounts of items left in my kitchen I did not even feel ful. Disgusted-yes, full- saddly.... m~No. 😥 Confusing for sure because I was just wondering where I went for the last 2 hours!

I was binging because I was desperatly trying to fill the void in my heart with food but actually I was hungry for love which I didnt realise for a long time. After I found out what I was craving for I started to look for love everywhere but even though people were giving it to me I wasnt able to take it. Only after I gave the love and compassion to my inner child everything has healed. I feel loved by myself and others and my binging practically stopped. Now my urges are only little and almost gone. I can handle them with compassion and curiosity ❤

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

This is beautiful. I love it!! ❤

I have some serious binge eating problems, but i really do not want to admit it. The part about restriction happens to me and i have just quit slimming world, as it almost makes me worse. Thanks for your content. I think my Dad leaving when i was young has created my problems

@pixel9548

6 ай бұрын

Ah! I was just responding to noneofurbusiness above. Check out those 2 books on the topic! I'll bet you're onto something.

@Theworstaltinthesystem

6 ай бұрын

Omfg absolutely. I'm not knocking SW it's great for some people but I've had EDs since childhood but also sensory problems with eating and im not overstating things to say that I found SW actually pretty distressing after spending the first few decades of my life having an aversion to food, not wanting to eat, not wanting to think about it, restricting for weeks then only eating peanut butter for months at a time etc then just assuming I could stick to a plan that requires you to plan and prepare and eat but not a few times a week but several times a day and it was just awful for me and exacerbated the aversion pretty considerably for a while. It felt more like obsessive out of control gorging and the more I tried not to fail at it the more stressful it was. I know it helps a lot of people but so many people suffer from disordered eating and the NHS often treat it like a joke or a character flaw so any recommendations for broad stroke strategies shouldn't be given lightly. None of this is to knock it, for many it's a good plan but not for me at all 😅

@Theworstaltinthesystem

6 ай бұрын

Just to say too that links between trauma and disordered eating can be very powerful and shouldn't be underestimated clinically. It's usually viewed only in the context of neurodivergence but I know several people who aren't who struggle with similar things. It's like it gets lost that everyone is processing sensory information all of the time and all of our brains make associations with what we're processing and when these associations are very intense they can become linked in a way that you can't just logic your way out of in one afternoon. I think clinicians don't struggle to treat this stuff because it's so simple it shouldn't need explaining its because its pervasive and complex and more than a self help reading list can solve.

@pixel9548

6 ай бұрын

@@Theworstaltinthesystem The more I understand my brain, the more I can make good decisions. Wish they'd taught this stuff in grade school.

I associate so much Sarah. My feet literally take me to the shop,it's like my mind is freezing. It is overwhelming and disturbing. Today I feel relieved that holidays are over, so many dinners and gatherings and all of them including food. Such a battle for me..

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

This is the scary bit that's so hard for other's to understand; when it doesn't feel like you are making the choice. I hope you get a bit of space to center yourself now the holidays have passed.

@valodimopoulou8865

6 ай бұрын

@@TheBingeEatingTherapist Thank you Sarah for all the videos and such brilliant information you provide. It really helps!😘

@pixel9548

6 ай бұрын

I've had times when I'm actually asking myself why this is going on while my body obediently and robotically walks to the kitchen.

@valodimopoulou8865

6 ай бұрын

@@pixel9548 I find it a daily attitude. I am just so tired of it.

6:10 that is the hell and big thought on my mind right before I eat a lot!!! ONG yes it definitely does numb me right after … until the guilt and disgust hits

Excellent video!!! Love the way you break things down….

Oh my gosh, from the first sentence....im like...yeah! Yes! Thats true! Yes!!!

I'm always so amazed and grateful. You're literally speaking my feelings and thoughts out which I'm not able to recognize and analize. I was very suprised when you described this dissociation expirience better than I'm able to. Because of some very tough circumstances in my life now it feels like I always don't feel the connection with present moment. I wish all the people who expirience problems with food to find your chanel. Thank you so much Sarah!

Hi! Thanks so much for recommending my channel. I love this video so much. Very relatable and so important to share. I used to have Boulimia before my DPDR as well so the two topics definitely come very close to me. Thank you for spending your time sharing these video's to help others 😊

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

Hi Robin! 😍 Are you up for coming on the channel? I loved your 1 Insight video where you spoke on resistance so I’d love to have a conversation about it on YT. You were singing from my song sheet! 😂

How timely, just spent a few hours downtown in a daze, I thought it was derealization I have, and it was one long slow binge, I came home and felt so gross, like monty pythons Mr Creosite ("just one waferthin mint sir" I took a laxative. I can't stand that feeling like I'm pregnant and about to pop, and how my f'ed up relationship to my body and food ruins my finances and thus limits my choices/feels confined/trapped/unfree, and is threatening my athletic aspirations as well (I'm training for a half marathon, but my joints really do not like me carrying more weight, plus I'm middle age /perimenopausal which is aches and pains here and there on.a daily basis as well. I don't even notice how it interferes with my social life because I've been living like this all my life so I do not know any different. The frustration feels so maddening, that "I just want to go home" feeling of Michael Douglas in Falling down ✌️

@pixel9548

6 ай бұрын

Like your references to our common culture! It aint easy!

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

I feel this Eva and just want to send you a big hug right now ❤‍🩹

I totally relate to this.

Cool 😎 red microphone 🎤 Its all good 😂

I listen to every video you create and share. I'm amazed that every time you post new content, it has something that speaks to me like no previous video has done before, you're always so insightful and enlightening. Thank you so much, I really needed this video about dissociation, I relate to it so much and takes so much shame away.

Happy I found you!

My mother is staying with me and can't stop talking. She won't take no for an answer to anything. She's really, really overwhelming. My husband is frustrated and upset, but is trying to stay nice. Today, he went golfing and my mom finally went to take a nap. What did I do? I binged! It was such a relief, but of course, now I hate myself.

I resonated so much with this video. I also forget what foods I binge on. Even the next day I will know I binged, but it takes me really digging deep into my mind to remember what I consumed.

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

I relate to that 'amnesia'

Thank you

I saw Robin Schindelka is from Belgium, close enough 🤗 (Since you were doubtful you had it right with thinking she was Dutch) ❤️🙏

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

Oh yes! Belgium! 🇧🇪 Whoops

Dear Sarah I would really like to join one of your intensive groups but the only available time currently is January 28th GMT. I hope you will be able to make a group for those of us in the United States❤

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

It's at 4pm GMT, which is a good time for those in the US. It's 11am EST

@mariaelenabartesaghi6322

6 ай бұрын

@@TheBingeEatingTherapist oh my goodness I had it the other way around thank you for having me noticed that!! Of course Europe is ahead, of course!! Irony: I am a European living in the US...haha!

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

@@mariaelenabartesaghi6322 😆😆 You may be required to give up your European passport now (if you have one) 😉

I totally get this, I'm still struggling with binge eating and due to some sensory issues I only eat when I binge. It feels more like a punishment than something that begins as enjoyable. The dissociation rings so true though and dissociation is something I have huge problems with now from recognising hunger/thirst/pain/exhaustion but for 13 years or so from the age of 9 I was bulimic and it was so frustrating as a kid being told about finding gaps between eating and purging and making better choices in those gaps when there just weren't gaps. I rarely ate during the time I was trying to recover from maybe the age 17/18 with a view to purging but it happened most of the time for a long time and it'd be painful after because I wasn't registering any discomfort in the moment. In my experience, dissociation gets glossed over or ignored a lot and even when you're aware of your dissociative patterns and behaviours and it's clinically recognised as something you deal with, by others it's seen as an abdication of personal responsibility not a distinct symptom that not only can be identified but treated and improved so its really good that you're highlighting that they can be linked as behaviours linked to dissociation don't absolve people of the consequences, they're still stuck with those but what you don't have in those moments until its identified is insight. I think it's probably linked to a lot of areas where food is an issue like some people struggle with binge eating but I've also had a couple of friends who graze constantly but just don't seem very aware of it. I think so called 'snack amnesia' that gets sort of laughed at can be part of this too. I think it's super easy to project and guess at and judge what people other people must feel or notice in their own disordered eating but it's just guessing and projecting and often judging all the same. I'm really glad you brought this topic up x

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

Urgh. The ‘abdication of personal responsibility’ part is so frustrating. It’s so widespread and I used to believe that about myself too, which only made it worse. It sounds like this is something you have been dealing with since you were so little. My heart goes out to you. I know that doesn’t fix anything, but I want to say it all the same ❤️❤️

@Theworstaltinthesystem

6 ай бұрын

@TheBingeEatingTherapist No its really appreciated and I so appreciate you clarifying this stuff I think its essential for people with disordered eating not to feel like they're doomed to fail because I think we're sort if conditioned to conflate eating problems with vice as in more moral than clinical/psychological like its greed and gluttony and all that good shit. I think whether it's rooted in behaviour as a trauma response which seems common is both abuse and neglect,, a sensory problem, or people becoming addicted to sugar not because doughnuts are delicious but because the food we eat is full of sugar, these are all clinical topics not moral failings. I've been referred recently to am ED clinic and I know it's the right thing for me but the shame was sort of palpable, still having these issues in my forties but stuff like this really helps to reinforce that there are solutions and people willing to talk about it in an intelligent, thoughtful way.

Is it also possible to do the RESTRICTION part on autopilot / numb out on restriction? I feel I can do both - long periods of restriction where part of me knows this isn't healthy, I should eat something, but the other part "wins", and also eating lots of 'fun' foods to the same effect. Maybe it's because I'm coming from a background of chronic restriction (dieting, intermittent fasting, heavily exercising) on top of a BPD diagnosis. I have gone 'all in' since and stopped exercising completely, but I still don't manage eating regularly as I know I should.

@TheBingeEatingTherapist

6 ай бұрын

I would imagine it is possible to experience a type of dissociation in restriction too and definitely the experience of feeling like it isn’t ‘you’ making the choice.