Does anyone have issues with overeating due to using it as a stim?

Good idea. I found any exercise is a good thing. I’m sorry about the spasms that you have. 

I can relate to this. I used to have terrible issue with overeating whenever I was upset and stressed. It got so bad to a point where it almost became an addiction, where it felt like I couldn't get through the day without having an extra amount of snacks a day. The problem with it was while the extra snacking made me feel good for a while immediately afterwards it just made me feel ill and bloated that it set off my acid Reflux badly. It took a while for me try and cut back and even though I do still snack on the odd occasion, it's not as bad as it used to be

Yes—I’ve always been able to eat a lot and have a huge appetite (seem to never be able to turn down food and my NT dad is the same). I just almost always liked the texture of food in my mouth: I guess it’s sensory as much as anything. I overcame it basically by chewing gum instead and am now back at a healthy weight. It worked for me just because it meant I could feel like I was eating without actually eating.

I took up running a few years ago and now just run 1k a day. I always feel better afterwards and have realised my mood drops if I don’t go. Also, 1k is about 5-6 mins, so feels do-able every day, even if I’m a bit tired. 

Also, any goodies I put out of reach, like on top if a cupboard, so I have to make an effort if I want to get them. 

Seems a 20cm stick of celery is about 5 calories net, so you could eat at least 10 sticks to be about the same as a biscuit.

You can basically eat as much as you want without worrying.

I think that about celery is a myth... 

I was going to suggest celery as I think it uses as many calories to eat it as you get back.

But I was not sure if the stim is the mouth feel, texture, sound, swallowing, feeling of fullness, or the sugar rush, etc.

Would chewing gum help? I always wondered why people did that.

Absolutely, it can be. I spent some time in an orphanage as a child, and as a result really latched onto food for comfort. Even as a baby I’d smear food everywhere, eat non food items, and combine weird flavors to get new sensations. I’m a sensory seeker, so as I grew up, that turned into a fairly severe binge eating disorder I struggled with for years. It’s that soothing sensation we’re looking for, and while I wouldn’t call it an addiction, it’s an attachment I needed to get through some pretty tough years that negatively impacted me as an adult.

You're strong enough to get through it, but you definitely should seek quality help and support if that’s an option. Be careful—oftentimes professionals don’t understand neurodivergence as much as they think they do, and that can lead to some serious repercussions, but with the right help you can find alternative coping mechanisms for the fact that life is really rough sometimes.

personally, I still struggle somewhat with this, but I’ve found that some tips and tricks often only provided for parents of young children can be extremely helpful for adults. Things like eating a variety of safe flavors, staying hydrated, using chew stim toys or flavored gum, practicing alternative stimming, introducing accessibility tools like lamps or swings, and more, all can help. I wish you the very best, and please keep us updated.

Love from a friend,

Max

Thank you, yes excercise is a great choice. At the moment my body is going into some spasms and these lead me to have dificulties going out a lot - also the fatigue. I've tried walks very early in the morning when it's not so noisy and ordered some ANC headphones so perhaps I can cope with that. 

I think I might need to make some indoor excercises to help and just leave them off when the spasms come or the fatigue to make them less. I'm kind of an all or nothing girl

Yes exactly, thank you. I do really think it's a stim as it needs to be something crunchy and only when I'm really overwhelmed - I have made changes and chosen healthier options. A carrot is a good choice, thank you

Yes, you do have to eat - but the trick is knowing moderation when in overwhelm. 

I'm not sure I'd call it a stim. But I definitely do it as a dopamine hit and as a comfort thing. Particularly chocolate.

Stuart333 said:

The problem is you have to eat, and there is really nothing that is like eating but not eating.

Well you can eat celery or cucumber and it won't rack up the pounds. If I need to eat something (which I think is probably a stim), I'll often reach for a raw carrot. I like the sound and the texture and they take a while to eat.

Stuart333 said:

So I would assume you need something to give the reward by another means

This is very much the best solution in my opinion.

Be wary of companies offering dopamine supliments or alternatives as they are all out to make money and can be less than truthful with their advertising. In fact I would avoid taking these at all unless your GP can give a strong reason to use them.

Instead consider healthier options like exercise. After the initial pain of getting the muscles working hard again there can be a dopamine release during or after exercise that can help a lot. Add in the benefits of exercise, the bonus of increased muscle mass at your age and the cardiovascular benefits, it is a no-brainer.

The eating issues I find are easier to control when you can measure your progress, the loss of body fat, the increases in weights you can lift or time you can run for etc - they all help with the mental discipline to keep chocolate out of the house or not to order that next curry etc.

It is just one option which I hope is suitable for your health and mobility.

Comfort eating is a common thing, NT or ND. Eating releases dopamine and serotonin.

Dopamine is related to reward. See the porn thread. It is part of addictive behaviours.

The problem is you have to eat, and there is really nothing that is like eating but not eating.

So I would assume you need something to give the reward by another means .

Exercise, video games and music or dancing can release dopamine. Sex, cocaine and amphetamines are probably not such good alternatives.