Stress vs. Depression & Emotional Eating

I'm not sure if this is in the right section, but I assumed at least some of you are prone to emotional eating.

So here's my question:

Do you find yourself overeating or under eating depending on the emotions you're experiencing? (Have any of you found ways to help yourself avoid these habits?)

I have found over time that when I'm at a high enough stress level I won't eat, or eat very little. This, I know, is not a good thing. Yet somehow it makes me feel better when I see the numbers on the scale decreasing.

However, the moment my stress level lowers and I start to eat normally again, I'll begin to gain weight and that sends me into panic-mode and eventually depression, which I then try to eat away.

(I know, makes a lot of sense to stuff yourself because you've gained weight -- Totally counter-productive.)

Can anyone empathize? Have you found any success in trying to avoid these patterns?

I could really use some help. My scale went from 104 lbs (yesterday) to 110 lbs (this evening) and I'm about to have a heart attack (on account of the two pieces of toast slathered in vegan butter, coconut milk ice cream and various other things I've eaten today).

Help!

Ugh, emotional eating is definitely my thing. Unfortunately I don't have anything productive to say since right now I'm emotionally drinking, rather than eating. I will try and post something better later, I just didn't want you to feel like your post was being ignored.

Hey,

I sometimes overeat when I am feeling depressed. I sometimes find myself stuffing my mouth when I haven't even swallowed what was in there!

The best way I overcome it is either by brushing my teeth, drinking water, eating slowly or sometimes I spit out what is in my mouth after reasoning that I will only be more upset if I put on weight.

Try not to be alone either. You're less likely to eat loads if your surrounded by people. If I'm upset, talking through a problem is usually more comforting than eating my weight in chocolate (or bread, or crisps or whatever I can get my hands on)!

I haven't conquered it at all but I am trying! Let me know if you have any other ideas! I know what it is like and I am rooting for you!

Wow I can totally relate to what you are saying. I am definitely an emotional eater, except I do things opposite from you. When I am in a good mood/feeling happy, I am too excited to OVER eat and sometimes even forget about eating since I am so busy with my "optimism" :) Sometimes I think that is when I go into a "manic" type episode where my appetite decreases. And then when I'm in my depressed episode I tend to eat a lot- sometimes even binge eating. It's disgusting. But sometimes you just have to tell yourself that it's all in your head and that you CAN control it. You may not be able to control your emotions, but you CAN control what goes in your mouth, that's the beauty of it. If you do feel like eating more than usual, just try to stick to healthy food...and always remind yourself that eating away the stress is not worth it and will actually just add on MORE stress. Stick to a consistent plan...and always eat til you are satisfied and full (not stuffed) so that your body doesn't have intense cravings in the long run. Hope that helped- I am working on this as well.

I totally relate. I am still working on it, but what helps me is when I feel like binging, I ask myself how I feel. The goal being, to constantly be aware of your emotions, when you are, this helps to make you feel like you don't even need to binge. I hope this helps.

Thank you to everyone who has replied with support and suggestions! I very much appreciate the help and it makes me feel better to know other people understand.