Is comfort eating a disorder?

Question

I think it is. My mate's weight flucktuates between a size 12 and an 18 over the years. She comfort eats. She then goes on weight watchers or slimming world diets and gets back down to a 12 again. When ever she feels low or stressed or has boyfriend trouble she eats chocolate, cakes - all the fatty stuff. She told me last night that she can eat three bars of cholocate on the bus on her way home from work when she's low or even just hungrey and that she hides chocolate from her boyfriend because she's ashamed of how much of it that she eats. She's not being sick or anything, she's just really miserable about her weight.

Because she's not being sick - she wont admit she's got a disorder but I think she has. Should I get her to telephone a helpline for eating disorders? Is there a freephone national helpline that anyone knows of? Or am I worried about nothing?

Answer 1

To be honest these days it kinda bugs me that if someone just doesnt eat "normally" everyone is ready to slap "eating disorder" on it or claim they have one. I am bulimic, have been for years and have gone through different phases of an "eating disorder" also. I believe she is just comfort eating...food is what makes her happy when she is down, put if it was alchol or smoking she would be addicted to that also. I don't think she has the mental implications that most people with eating disorders have but does need help to stop turning to food when something effects her, however she does have great self motivation to keep loosing the weight after she's piled it all on, even though this isn't good for her health. She probably is a "complusive over-eater" if you want to put a name to it. But her condition could turn into binge eating also.
She may need to talk to someone to help her raise her self esteem more than anything and to train her into different ways of coping. I think she has disordered eating rather than an eating disorder but talking to someone from a eating disorder association may help anyway. Look at www.b-eat.co.uk or if shes really down and wants someone to talk to she could try the samaritains, you can phone, email or text them. Good luck to her.

Answer 2

A 12 is tiny. I wear an 18, it's not that big of a deal

Answer 3

yes it is, but it's only harmful if she's yo-yo dieting. I'm a comfort eater and I'm quite happy. If she's unhappy she's the one that needs to make the decision to change. She's obviously got other issues she needs to get her head straight with before she can tackle the comfort eating (that maybe turning into binge earing). It;s up to her, you can't make the decision for her.

Answer 4

she is binge eating and yes it is a disorder. even if you were tto have her contact someone it would do no good cause she will feel like she is being pressured in to it. you can bring it up to her but let her do the research and get in touch with whomever she decides on her own.

Answer 5

It depends. someone eating like that constantly I would say yes but only doing it at times of stress I would say is comfort eating. some people are just naturally greedy

Answer 6

Instead of Fatty foods, make her eat fruit and things like that

Answer 7

I have a better idea.
MIND YOUR OWN GODDAMN BUSINESS.
it has got absolutely nothing to do with you what she eats.
I hate interfering busybodies like you. Does she even know you've just told the whole world that shes a fat uncontrollable compulsive eater. With friends like you it's no wonder she feels down. Is this how you make yourself feel better.
I hope you're ashamed of yourself.

Answer 8

yes it is a disorder and it can be just as harmful as anorexia as by comfort eating your body is taking in too much sugar and is missing out on various important nutrients too.

Answer 9

YUP AND WATS CAUSING IT IS STRESS AND THE SENSE OF LOVE THEY KEY IS TO LOVE U SELF BEFORE ANYONE AND LET THEM LIKE U FOR U OK
SHE CAN GO AND GET HELP AT Center AND TALK ABOUT HER PROBLEM AND HOW TO COPE WITH THEM