Overeating Disorder Versus Emotional Eating Disorder

Eating disorders are tough to overcome due to the fact that the person with the disorder is required to eat. Can you imagine having to deal with a drug addiction yet you were still required to take those drugs 3 or more times per day. For those suffering from an emotional eating disorder or perhaps suffering from an overeating disorder it can become nearly impossible to deal with. Learn how to distinguish these 2 eating disorders and some tips on how to over come them.

Do I have an Emotional Eating Disorder?

An emotional eating disorder is very tough to deal with due to the food we are consuming being tied to our emotional health. Emotional eaters tend to eat during times of high stress which can result from depression, heartbreak, or other life changing events. For me, I tend to be an emotional eater when my daily schedule gets turned upside down. I have also found that when I find myself in times of high stress that I turn to food. In order to determine whether you have an Emotional Eating Disorder you need to keep a food diary. Included in this food diary needs to be extra information that deals with the circumstances leading up to your meal. Was there something that caused you stress in the 3 hours previous to your emotional eating binge. If so, you need to record this information.
If you notice over a period of 3-6 weeks that you tend to have a meal within a short time after a high stress event you may be experiencing the beginnings of an emotional eating disorder.

Do I have an Overeating Disorder?

If you are an over eater then you probably suffer from not being able to deal with being full. If you are like me you have taken so much pleasure in food that for some reason you will put food in your mouth despite being full. The difference in an over eating disorder and an emotional eating disorder can be hard to distinguish but I have noticed that I will over eat just because of the pleasure found in food. Unlike an emotional eater an over eater doesn't eat because they feel bad. An over eating disorder can be brought on because of the pure pleasure found in food. Some of my friends who are over eaters describe other feelings such a compulsion to clean their plate, or an unwillingness to waste food.

How can I deal with my eating disorder?

Whether you have an emotional eating disorder or an over eating disorder you need to learn to deal with them. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health the effects of not dealing with your eating disorder lead to weight gain and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other weight related disease. Consult your physician should be your first step in dealing with an eating disorder. Ask your doctor to refer you to nutritionists, and other doctors who are specially trained to deal with eating disorders.

One thing that I found helps me is to do things that make me happy. Sitting on the couch watching TV is the worst thing for an emotional eater. Forcing yourself to get up and exercise will go along way to improving your state of mind. I have also found that surrounding myself with friends who are encouraging is also a good way to deal with either of these 2 eating problems.

Dealing with an emotional eating disorder requires time and patience as does dealing with an over eating disorder, but you can learn how to control these urges. The first step is to just do something. Good Luck.