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Emotional Eating (Expert Forum)
diets
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions in the Emotional Eating forum are answered by Dr. Roger Gould. Topics covered include anger and eating, anxiety and eating, binge eating, depression and eating, eating to "fit in", emotional eating, fill the void eating, guilt and eating, loneliness and eating, social eating, and stress and eating.
diets
by Jaquta, Aug 19, 2009 02:03AM
Hi
I was wondering if joining Weight Watcher's could combat emotional eating issues. I phrased that wrong but was wondering if that level of structure could help elicit necessary changes.
I don't think lack of education is the problem in that I am able to identify healthy food choices, the problem comes later. I have a problem with feeling disorganized. This is part of what leaves me feeling overwhelmed and powerless.
I am trying to explore options here. I personally feel unable to make the necessary changes at this time and therapy is feeding into this issue. Weight or unhealthy eating and lifestyle are significantly affecting both my physical and mental health. I'm concerned about physical symptoms (sore chest, sore arm, sore back, shortness of breath on exertion, turning purple, etc) but the mh ones are by far the most alarming.
Would this approach work as an interim measure until I became more contained or could it potentially be more damaging?
I also wanted to apologize for the idealizing and devaluing (although that mainly refers to psychiatrists I have seen and not really you). I just wanted to apologize in case it made you feel uncomfortable.
I seem to have hit a really rough patch in my recovery and negative behaviors seem to be coming to the fore with a vengeance.
J
I was wondering if joining Weight Watcher's could combat emotional eating issues. I phrased that wrong but was wondering if that level of structure could help elicit necessary changes.
I don't think lack of education is the problem in that I am able to identify healthy food choices, the problem comes later. I have a problem with feeling disorganized. This is part of what leaves me feeling overwhelmed and powerless.
I am trying to explore options here. I personally feel unable to make the necessary changes at this time and therapy is feeding into this issue. Weight or unhealthy eating and lifestyle are significantly affecting both my physical and mental health. I'm concerned about physical symptoms (sore chest, sore arm, sore back, shortness of breath on exertion, turning purple, etc) but the mh ones are by far the most alarming.
Would this approach work as an interim measure until I became more contained or could it potentially be more damaging?
I also wanted to apologize for the idealizing and devaluing (although that mainly refers to psychiatrists I have seen and not really you). I just wanted to apologize in case it made you feel uncomfortable.
I seem to have hit a really rough patch in my recovery and negative behaviors seem to be coming to the fore with a vengeance.
J
Doctor's Answer
I find her attitude invalidating and unsupportive.
Cost is a big negative for me, but then, can I afford not too?
I have $40 a week to spend on groceries, petrol, medication if I need it, clothes, etc. It would be nice to put some of that money aside for a mountain bike or a pair of running shoes. Big dilemma. I think I would save more if I didn't spend so much on food.
Do I, don't I?
I think you would suggest that I am again looking to someone else for that magic cure. Am I? I feel it would be for boundaries regarding food and for personal growth.
Can I get support for my issues from my T? I don't know. I discussed weight with him on Thursday. He said everyone has a tipping point (which I've probably reached). He relates it back to core beliefs which go over my head. He tested the idea of going for a 15 minute walk three times a week with it just being a goal, nothing more/ nothing less.
I've been for two 40 minute walks in the past two days so perhaps it's worked.
I'm OK when I'm directed but then I always view myself as a follower and not a leader.
I feel more motivated to make changes at the moment.
Our neighbor died recently and while I perceived him to have everything he now has nothing. I guess that means I have opportunities and should make the most of them.
I was also thinking about everything I had inherited from my parents. I expect there must be some positive qualities there so I should utilize my strengths to help me make positive incremental changes.
I am thinking about maybe trusting myself and my ability to work through this issue.
I'm going to start by exercising (going for some runs) and keeping a food diary. If after one week I don't feel like I'm making much progress I can re-evaluate then.
I am going to make this work. One day I am going to post and say Dr Gould I have reached and maintained my goal weight, I am exercising consistently and are attaining my fitness goals, I feel fantastic, I look great, I'm relating well and my anxiety has dissipated. This will happen!!
J