i will try my best to describe my situation,i have struggled with binging and hoarding food all my life(i will be 25 next month)I recently went to a therapist to get help as i thought i just had an emotional attachment and problem with eating,but she diagnosed me with acctually having a compulsive overeating dissorder,and by the informative comment by my doctor i have been looking into the possibility of getting the lapband done,i am currently at 234 lbs and i am 5 foot 6 inchs,has anybody else who recieved the lapband proceedure started out with a binge eating disorder,has it helped you,and what if anything could you reccommend?:wink:

I'm also thinking of going to a therapist/counselor to see why I eat the way I do and why I always turn to food. What kind of therapist should I see? I've been trying to research this but can't get an answer. Should I see a psycologist, psychiatrist??

I'm also thinking of going to a therapist/counselor to see why I eat the way I do and why I always turn to food. What kind of therapist should I see? I've been trying to research this but can't get an answer. Should I see a psycologist, psychiatrist??

I wanted a "behavioral" therapist because, from my introductory psych course (pre req for nursing school) I learned that behaviorists try to modify your behavior, and are usually quite successful. While the "why" may matter and can be explored, the actual bad behavior is the focus. I liked that because I have combed through my psyche and my past ad nauseum for "why" I overate. Not to beat that horse, but the behaviorist helped me a lot. I think if I'd found her when I was about 50 pounds over I wouldn't have needed the band, but what I learned with her (both the why and behavior mods) are helping me be successful with the band.

Behavioral may not be for you...but I googled "therapists who treat eating disorders and accept Tricare in San Antonio" and lo and behold a list popped up! LOL People often say "ask your PCP" but mine hadn't a clue. I went through the list, found several I liked, and clicked on the phone with "Pat" whom I used for just under a year.

You might try a similar search? We think of eating disorders as usually meaning anorexia, or maybe bulimia, but obesity is an eating disorder too.

Good luck!

HI,

Thanks so much for the tips. I also have Tricare and checked with my plan and I'm allowed to see a Behavioral therapists. I'm going to check into it this week!

Thank you!

Sherri

Good luck! It took a while but I finally realized Pat was really helping, so if you find one you like, hang in there with him/her for a bit to see if it will do you some good. I think going to Pat was one of the smartest things I've done for myself in a while!