Overeating: Symptoms, Causes, and Coping Mechanisms for Better Mental Health

     Many people turn to overeating as a coping mechanism when they are dealing with difficult emotions or stress. Eating can provide a temporary distraction from negative feelings, and the act of eating can release feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine. Additionally, certain foods, such as those high in sugar and fat, can activate reward centers in the brain and provide a sense of comfort. However, overeating as a coping mechanism can lead to negative consequences such as weight gain, guilt, and shame. This is an issue because more than 2 in 5 Americans are obese.  That is over 42% of the population.  Emotional overeating is a factor in this weight gain.  It is characterized by using food as a means to make yourself feel better by filling an emotional void.  People often find themselves using food as a coping mechanism when their emotions are out of control.  So whenever they are stressed, upset, angry lonely, or bored they reach for food.  This creates unhealthy habits and causes weight gain.

https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/emotional-eating-why-do-we-turn-to-food-to-cope-with-our-feelings

It’s important to find healthier ways to cope with difficult emotions, such as exercise, meditation, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist.

Symptoms:

• Eating more when you feel stressed.
• Eating when you aren’t hungry.
• Eating to soothe emotions of sadness, loneliness, anxiousness, or depression.
• Food feels like safety and is a friend to you.
• Feeling out of control around food.
• Craving specific foods, typically unhealthy or high in sugar or sweets.

The cycle:

• Emotional eating does not help to fill the void.
• Overeating often makes you feel out of control and guilty for not having willpower.
• Emotional eating is located in the head, not the stomach.
• Your hunger is not satisfied once you are full.

Ways to cope:

• Keep only healthy snacks around for when you do feel tempted.
  • Fruits, vegetables, and salads
• Keep track of your food intake daily and also keep track of your mood.
  • Journal, MyFitnessPal App, Moodfit App
• Seek counseling to talk about the potential causes of your overeating.
• Practice meditation and mindfulness.

Edited by TLC intern: Brigitte Black