What would my doctor do (or a psychiatrist) if I told them about my comfort eating?

Question

I comfort eat whenever I am bored, lonely... any type of negative emotion. I went to the psychiatrist before for depression/self harm but it was only once a month for a year and I couldn't open up. It didn't do much for me.

I don't want to be this fat and unfit. I diet and lose up to 8lb, then something upsets me and I gain the 8lbs back again... its such a hard cycle!

Is my GP likely to refer me, especially as it didn't work before and I haven't been through any major traumas, I just feel a bit emotionally neglected (although from a "good" family and it isn't their fault). What would the psychiatrist do with me? Him suggesting I think "postive thoughts" instead of negative ones, was hardly a helpful suggestion last time (CBT - I think) would it be useful if I tried again?

Thanks

Answer 1

You have to learn to control your habits and thoughts. Eating when you're not hungry needs to be replaced with an activity that positively impacts your life. You will have to stop isolating yourself, and be more social, and be productive. What does not kill us only makes us stronger. Each time you get knocked down, get right back up. Do not wallow in self defeat or self loathing. Get up and walk, meet people and be active. You will get in shape, have people to talk to, and have other things on your mind to occupy your time rather than just eating because you have nothing else to do. You don't need a GP or psychiatrist to tell you that. Good luck to you!

Answer 2

A lot of the answers to your questions lie within you and only you will be able to unveil the answers. Do you still self harm? if so you should try getting referred to a psychiatrist or counsellor again, each work in different ways.
Has your GP tried prescribing antidepressants? there is such a stigma attached to them but they can really help.
You can do an awful lot to help yourself by recognising that you must fight your feelings and cravings for food. Try to exercise even if it is just a short walk outside, exercise releases feel good chemicals in the brain and will also assist with weight loss.
Set yourself small targets eg) if you're feeling really low one day push yourself to ensure you pick up the telephone and chat to someone - it is too easy to stay home alone dwelling on our negative thoughts and feelings!
Buy a Pilate's DVD, it will not only tone your body it is about relaxation and well being - honestly, I only discovered it last month and it really helps if I do it 1st thing in the morning.
All the best, I hope you find something or someone to help x

Answer 3

Oh dear you sound a bit like me! I comfort eat when stressed and it shows! How about asking your psychiatrist if he/she can put you in touch with others who had a similar problem and have overcome it? I have had help from psychologists in the past and found them very helpful. But of course it depends on what really lies behind your depression and this is where a psychologist can be helpful. You can't change the past but sometimes facing it can be helpful and allow you to move on. Sometimes just talking helps and The Samaritans are great listeners. Maybe joining a gym or keep fit or something similar will help where there are other like minded people and it can also be fun. Why don't I take my own advice? Because I am disabled and those types of regimes are impossible for me. I have a good partner and a strong faith - that helps to get over the down times.

Every blessing for the future - don't give up - keep on fighting.

Answer 4

Hopefully, your doctor would try to help you develop other coping mechanisms that don't have such potential for negative consequences and such damage to your self esteem. You can't just stop eating. It works for you. You need to find an alternate behavior (assuming you want to) that fulfills the same needs. I'd have to know more about you to know what that would be.

Keep trying to find someone who you can relate to, an dwho doens't give you stupid advice like "positive thoughts" without being specific. You may need to alter your beliefs or thought patterns, but something that general isn't useful. CBT, if done properly, is specific to your needs. Whoever called a vague directive toward happy thinking "CBT" didn't know what they were doing. So, don't get turned off by cognitive behavior therapy... just find a therapist who knows how to use it.

Answer 5

Perhaps look into participating in a DBT Program (Dialectical Behavioural Therapy). Originally derived from CBT but designed to suit those like myself with Borderline Personality Disorder. It is a more hands on and pro-active approach. For example, I have 4 "problem behaviours" (self-harm, suicidality, alcohol consumption and gambling). The aim of DBT is to get these problem behaviours under control by learning other "skills" to use. The program is split into 3 modules with a core. The core is "Mindfullness" and the 3 modules are "Distress Tolerence", "Interpersonal Effectiveness" and "Emotional Regulation". The belief is that there is a lack of skills to deal with a specific prompting event or an underlying problem and the program teaches you skills to combat your problem behaviours or rather "learned behaviours". Your learned behaviour being over-eating or self harming, etc. I hope your find this helpful. If you're in Sydney, Australia I'd be more than happy to point you in the direction of some brilliant practitioners.

Answer 6

I discovered I was eating due to nervousness/anxiety/depression when I made up a delicous & nutritious salad to take to the office , but instead of just taking a bit that night, I ended up eating all of it and I was still hungry!! Taking notice of it it's the first big step, the second biggest one is doing something about it. The sooner you do it, the better your mental and fisical health will get in balance. It's always useful to not only "keep" trying, but to start doing it. Little by little. You can start by sipping into a glass of water everytime you get those desperate moments of hunger, but know you already ate what your body needed. When trying to get rid of bad habits, you need to substitute them with healthy ones. Try walking. Seeing people, listening to birds, smelling grass fresh cut grass will put you in a good mood. If you enjoy reading, go to your public library. If there's anything you ever wonder or wanted to know about, public libraries are your best resource. Get to know what the excess food does to your body. That'll give you a wake-up call. I have some information that was very useful for me. Let me know if you're interested in having that send via e-mail to you. Don't give up. Rome wasn't made in one day, nor did you gain your weight in a week. It's a process and you need to take baby steps in order to end up running. Keep it up!!

Answer 7

I know how you feel. I am in depression myself. I would switch Psychiatrist. Try eating carrots and fruit, or sliced cucumbers instead of other food that makes you gain weight. Go out for walks. It's been proven that a half-hour walk is as good as jogging, and you lose weight. Talk to God. He will help you with your problems. He will allow you to gain your self esteem.

Answer 8

comfort eating is an emotional issue and you need to work it through with a therapist
lots of famous people comfort eat and once the link has been made with food and damping down emotion they can work on it
and swap the eating for a more useful and healthier habit like walking jogging or exercising in some way

Answer 9

You sound like a fairly sensible person. You recognise your faults, so just use your willpower more. You don't need a doctor or psychiatrist to help you, just additional support form friends and family.

Answer 10

There cant be many people out there that would punish themselves for eating ... a bar of chocolate, but don't associate the bar of chocolate with your "unhappiness" that isn't being fair to yourself. TRY Yoga, any teacher will show you or tell you to be kinder to yourself, if they could see how you were, or anyone like me....