I wait until my partner’s fast asleep to binge eat junk food in secret

DEAR DEIDRE: AT night, after my partner has gone to bed, I secretly binge on junk food.

I eat until I feel sick, and in the morning I feel so guilty that I hate myself – which makes me do it again and again.

I’m 47 and currently about three stone overweight. I’ve yo-yo dieted all my life.

I’ve never been able to eat normally. I always go to extremes – I either stuff my face or I’m on a restricted diet.

That’s why every time I lose the weight, I pile it back on again within a few months.

Being overweight makes me feel miserable and ugly. I can’t look at my body in the mirror.

I don’t know why I’m like this.

I have a loving partner, 49, and family, and I haven’t been through any major trauma, but I’ve never had any self-confidence.

After decades of this, I’m exhausted and ashamed. I just want a normal relationship with food and my body.

DEIDRE SAYS:  Binge eating is a type of eating disorder.

You have no reason to feel ashamed. It’s brave to admit you have a problem and to ask for help.

You need professional support to deal with this.

A good first step is to contact beateatingdisorders.org.uk (0808 801 0677) and Overeaters Anonymous (oagb.org.uk, 07798 587802).

My support packs on Ending Weight Worries and Raising Self-esteem should also help you.

And make an appointment with your GP. They won’t judge you.