Compulsive Overeater Needs Online Support

Question:

Are there any chat rooms (or even message boards) available to help compulsive overeaters? I don't have time for face-to-face groups or therapy -- I work 50 hours a week, have 3 kids 7 years old & younger, and my husband works out of town all week. I really need an on-line resource for instant help/support whenever I can manage to squeeze it in. I'm very new on line --not even sure what our E-Mail address is.

Thanks.

Answer:

It sounds like you have a very demanding schedule and it is hard for you to find time for yourself. Online support might be just the thing to begin to make a difference.

Online Psych offers both chat and message boards which are accessible from the Online Psych Welcome Screen. I particularly recommend a chat called Friends With Eating Disorders, which takes place on Fridays at 10 p.m.ET in "Sigmund's Sitting Room." Message boards focusing on compulsive overeating issues are found under eating disorders.

Overeaters Recovery Group publishes an extensive schedule of chats at http://www.hiwaay.net/recovery/meetings.htm where you may be able to find a good chat when you have a moment to participate. There is also a great online resource for eating disorders called Something Fishy. Something Fishy has a message board section called "Remember it Hurts Inside the Most ..." where you can tell your story and reach out for support. A newsgroup specifically for compulsive overeaters can be found at alt.recovery.compulsive-eat.

The online world is developing very rapidly and has great potential for helping people help themselves and each other. Of course there are pitfalls and limitations too. Online information and support is not a substitute for personal therapy with a mental health professional when that is what is needed.

I hope you find the time to explore some of these online resources and locate some supports that you can connect with.