By Angie Best-Boss, Contributing Writer
Does food serve as a distraction from uncomfortable moments in your life?
If so, emotional eating may be your way of avoiding emotional discomfort.
A focus on food diverts our attention from anything we'd rather not think about
Serious emotional eaters obsess about food
Emotional eaters rely on food as their primary means to self-soothe
For an emotional eater, somewhere along the way, food became the No. 1 means of entertainment and distraction
Emotional eaters feel distress over their relationship with food. They often describe their eating as compulsive eating or food addiction, and they don't know what to do to stop!
Emotional Eating is not about food; it is a coping tool for handling life. Eaters Disorders Anonymous explains, “Many of us were deeply negative and unable to distinguish negative thought patterns from reality; our perspective was distorted. Most of us were caretakers who were out of touch with our own needs. Because our needs went unmet, we were deeply resentful. In recovery, we learn to recognize our needs and take responsibility for getting them met. This raises our self-esteem.”
Eating Disorders Anonymous suggests links disordered eating to stress, and encourages members in ways to relieve stress more healthily. The acronym HALT is a common shorthand reminder to recognize when one is Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, and to do something positive to relieve the stress.
More Information
Looking for Treatment? Call 1-877-211-5188 Anytime
If you or a loved one is suffering from an eating disorder and need help entering into recovery then please call 1-877-211-5188 anytime and we can help you with treatment and recovery options.
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The Eating Disorder Support Groups at SupportGroups.com is for individuals, friends and families who are looking to connect during life's challenging times. Share personal experiences, evaluate information and get support during times of need, illness, treatment or recovery.
Related Resources
Mayoclinic.com: Emotional Eating
Webmd.com: Emotional Eating
Medicinenet.com: Emotional Eating
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