I can understand what you are talking about with this. When I got my period my binging increased because 1) my periods were painful and it triggered memories of when I was abused 2) when I got my period the abuser punished me for it 3) my mother taught me that getting my period was something to be ashamed of. With all that fear and shame I was feeling I naturally turned to my coping mechanism which was binging. I ate to push those difficult feelings down so I didn't have to feel them. So this makes me wonder - how do you feel when you get your period? Where you have the thoughts of "I am not thin enough" I am wondering what judgment is behind that? Did someone teach you that females must be super thin and if you were not thin then you were not a good female? Having our period is what makes us 'female'. We can grow a baby within us - an actual human life - which is amazing! So what is it about having your period or being female, etc. that makes you want to be super thin?

Hey luckyempath. So sorry to know about what triggers it for you:(
Think whwn i think bout not bejng thin enough i think about models and how thin they are and aim to look like that. And then i start wanting to be a lot thinner than everyone else. Not tbat its like some sort of competition just an obsession. And i think i need to be super thin from the fear that when i do eat something, it will make me gain loads of weight and get obese, so like i need to be thin constantly to aviod that. If that makes sense and periods show iam healthy and like before i know it ill be fat.and if i can go the rest of my life without being called fat ill think ill be that lil bit happier

Just realised that probably still doesnt answer it. I have no idea why i care so much

I'm the same way. A few days before my cycle starts, I have uncontrollable cravings, which then I regret, and so goes another horrible week of regression. I also get extremely bloated and my shape is much more apple than usual, and it freaks me out, hence trigger. I keep trying to tell myself it's temporary period bloat, but it's hard sometimes to think and believe the same thing. I wonder if getting on some form of birth control would help even things out. I don't know why I care so much either, but I do, too.

Shaunie - It sounds like you may associate your period with health and you associate health with not being thin (aka being fat). Does that feel/sound right?

seekingzen83 - I went to a nutritionist once and she asked me all kinds of questions about my period including what I craved, did I get bloated and did I have cramps. I told her how much I craved cheese every time I got my period and she said "whatever it is you crave is actually making your symptoms worse. Stop eating cheese and your period will be more gentle". I have to be honest I thought she was full of it but I tried it anyway. For one cycle I didn't eat anything I craved. That meant no cheese! Gosh that was hard. But...much to my amazement...my symptoms were A LOT less that month. I couldn't believe it. Whatever it is you crave you may want to try to stay away from just before and during your period and see if it helps.

Thats interesting @luckyempath

Yes. I have had negative thoughts because of my period when it shows up before. I also have been disturbed by having regular labs too.

Sending you lots of Hugs to help you be and feel ok, soon.