This morning while preparing breakfast, packing lunch for work and so on, I had the television on. All of a sudden I heard an ad about Binge Eating Disorder. I looked up at the television in complete surprise. There was Monica Seles, a well-known former professional tennis star, talking about having the disorder and what it meant. The ad showed some definitions/diagnosis points and referred people to a site called bingeeatingdisorder.com and recommended discussing things with your doctor.
Watching that commercial, being in that moment, I felt intense gratitude. For so much of my life, I suffered with this disorder without knowing what was wrong with me. I didn’t know it even was a disorder, a disease. I thought I was a weak, fat, eating slob with no will-power. It destroyed my self-esteem, affected my physical health, my relationships with myself and others, led me into destructive behaviors and situations and caused me years and years of emotional misery.
I was 34 years old before I found out about binge eating and compulsive overeating and began to rebuild myself. Recovery took many more years and remains an ongoing effort. I will never be completely recovered or cured, but I am so much better and healthier emotionally, physically, and mentally than I was.
Putting this message out publicly will help untold numbers of people who are dealing, or attempting to deal, with this disorder on their own but who may not understand what it is, how it effects them, and how they can seek and receive help and treatment.
Thank you to whomever is driving this campaign. Thank you, Monica Seles for sharing your story and putting yourself out there.
Weighty Matters 
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