I think my new BF has disordered eating. Not sure where to go, how to help, it if it's a "disorder."
Hello everyone and thank you for this community.
My questions: does my BF have disordered eating? If he is open to getting help (we're in Portland, OR), where should he go/what should he do (he won't do inpatient)? How do I support without trying to control (I've got my own MH challenges 😜)?
Here's the sitch:
I started dating someone a couple of months ago and he restricts food all day long and then eats SO much for dinner. Like more food than I have ever seen. Anyone eat in one sitting- except for maybe large holiday meals? He says he saves eating for one meal because he wants to "enjoy a good meal," but usually ends up complaining about how full he feels and embarrassed about how much he's eaten. He's almost always falls asleep shortly after eating. He'll then often wake up in the middle of the night for "treats" of oranges, grapes, or fruit bars. I'm sure if he weren't trying to control weight gain the treats would be other things. He drinks coffee during the day as an appetite suppressant and before he quit drinking 5 years ago, used alcohol to suppress eating until late (8pm or later) also. He is overweight, but he's also 50. I do not engage in conversation with him when he calls himself fat. I've suggested he go to the doctor and have his hormone levels checked. I've also suggested eating smaller meals throughout the day. Neither has promoted any movement. I'm concerned about his health but also know I can't make anyone do anything they don't want to do.
Thank you for your help.