Emotional Eating

[nneighbour]

I've had clinical depression due to a chemical imbalance for most of my life and this is currently managed quite well with medications. But lately a series of unfortunate events have landed me with an emotional depression that can only be slightly dulled by some additional meds. I often find when I'm depressed, I eat. I tend to eat fatty, carb-laden foods and sweets. I actually think that my emotional eating is worse since I was diagnosed since I have a self-destructive streak when I'm a mess. So far I've been able to keep my BG levels reasonable, but what I'm doing clearly isn't good and I know it will just lead to more problems.

How do other emotional eaters handle it? I need reasonable solutions that I can actually apply.

[Imperatrix]

Before dealing with the food issues, perhaps you should be re-evaluated for your Effexor? My husband, who takes it, was told that any emotional changes would warrant this. Same goes for my Lexapro, which I take for anxiety.

But...emotional eating is something I try to work with as constructively as possible. If I'm in a bad mood and I'm going to emotionally eat and there's no way to truly stop it, I now choose nuts over candy or empty fatty carby foods. Another fave is edamame (soybeans) in the pod---I quickly steam up a couple cups and start chowing.

I'm not trying to sound smug or anything---it's just that at this point, I'm also too afraid to screw up...so it's not so hard for me to choose stuff like this to eat. I've seen what Type II diabetes has done to my husband's uncle, and may all the godz help me, I don't want to ever, ever suffer like that poor man....

[pooh3465]

Hi my name is April I have dealt with manic and bi polar depression most of my life also. I hope you don't think I am a fanatic but one thing i have done to get out of my depression is I read a book by Rick Warren called God's answers to lifes difficult questions. I saw myself in every chapter of this book I have had type one diabetes for 31 years and my doctors all know I am a non compliant diabetic in fact i went into ketoacidosis this last week and had two of my doctors refuse to treat me not sure what that was about but it did not make me feel good. Since last week I have been watching my carbs and bolusing everytime I eat. I had gotten in the habbit of not bolusing when i ate then wondering why i was so depressed and so tired. One of my secrets to overeating or emotional eating is I love green beans and i have found if you take two cans put one beef bullion in them and cook them in the microwave for 15-20 min it tastes like they have cooked all day. I am way over weight i am about 4'8" and wiegh about 220 so it is really important that i loose this weight and by counting my carbs and making sure I ate only 30-45 carbs each meal I lost 5 pounds last week and that in itself helps my depression. Sorry didn't mean to write a book but I am really happy with the way things are turning around for me and I truely hope someone else can bennifit, it's hard to feel left out and alone and depression really drags ya through it but those blood sugars are the main key. God bless hope i helped April

[Lorna]

I am type one and have also had problems with comfort eating. The only thing I can advise is try to keep yourself busy.

[Kate H]

Hi my name is April I have dealt with manic and bi polar depression most of my life also. I hope you don't think I am a fanatic but one thing i have done to get out of my depression is I read a book by Rick Warren called God's answers to lifes difficult questions. I saw myself in every chapter of this book I have had type one diabetes for 31 years and my doctors all know I am a non compliant diabetic in fact i went into ketoacidosis this last week and had two of my doctors refuse to treat me not sure what that was about but it did not make me feel good. Since last week I have been watching my carbs and bolusing everytime I eat. I had gotten in the habbit of not bolusing when i ate then wondering why i was so depressed and so tired. One of my secrets to overeating or emotional eating is I love green beans and i have found if you take two cans put one beef bullion in them and cook them in the microwave for 15-20 min it tastes like they have cooked all day. I am way over weight i am about 4'8" and wiegh about 220 so it is really important that i loose this weight and by counting my carbs and making sure I ate only 30-45 carbs each meal I lost 5 pounds last week and that in itself helps my depression. Sorry didn't mean to write a book but I am really happy with the way things are turning around for me and I truely hope someone else can bennifit, it's hard to feel left out and alone and depression really drags ya through it but those blood sugars are the main key. God bless hope i helped April


Pooh......... have you asked your Dr for anything to deal with the insulin resistance you are facing by being so heavy? i have 'double diabetes' and i take metformin and avandia for the insulin resistance side of things...... this has allowed me to drop my insulin dose, and improve my bg control as well......... oh, and the met has allowed me to lose 10 pounds from Nov to Apr (not a log, but going the right direction)

[am1977]

I know what it's like as well :)- I think you've been given great advice, but let me add some too...

I find when I'm stressed, if I can kind of remove myself from the situation and realize what I am about to do... I can often prevent it. Also, venting :argh: also helps. I vent here, to family and friends, among other places- I always feel better getting it out in the open and off my chest. And I also exercise... you'd be surprised how good exercise works in dealing with stress. Plus, it gets those good endorphins going :).

Hope this helps a bit- hang in there ;)

[pooh3465]

Hi I have never been told I am insulin resistant in fact when I take my insulin it works great so I am not sure I am insulin resistant I have just been running from my diabetes for 31 years and I have finally decided to stop denying I have it and just take care of it....took me long enough don't ya think lol Thanks though I will talk to my doctor about it and see what he thinks