Why do some people turn to food when they are anxious, does it make them feel good for a while, does anyone on here overeat because of anxiety etc?
Question...: Why do some people turn to food... - Anxiety Support
Question...
120 Replies
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Yes I do I'm afraid but it doesn' really help as I then feel guilty.
• in reply toBird-67
When you are actually eating how does it make you feel at the time?
Bird-67• in reply to
I feel content and don't want it to end.
• in reply toBird-67
You want to keep eating?
Bird-67• in reply to
Yes
• in reply toBird-67
Is it particular types of food that you eat?
Bird-67• in reply to
Yes sweet food
• in reply to
Sweets. Chocolate. X
• in reply to
Always sweet stuff then just like everyone else it seems.
• in reply to
Yeah. X sometimes carbs tho.
• in reply to
It sounds awful.
• in reply to
Aye it is but its not evry nite thank god. X
• in reply to
Thank goodness for that. You are ok most nights then?
• in reply to
Last nite I binged and ive already started bingeing tnite. Hopefully this will be the last night. I can go weeks or months without bingeing and then the disorder grabs me by the throat again. X
• in reply to
Can't you just get up and walk away until the urge stops?
• in reply to
I don't want to keep eating but I can't stop till the foods all finished and I feel.sick. x
• in reply to
It sounds very complicated and hard to understand.
• in reply to
Crap. X
• in reply to
Crap?
• in reply to
Yes that's how I feel.wen am bingeing on food. X
• in reply to
Ok, it must be a really strong urge if you can't stop yourself.
• in reply to
Yeah that's why it's an eating disorder. X
Yes it can be comfort for me. I was anorexic. I'm not overweight now I'm slim not that that matters. I am talking about eating disorders. One can have binge eating disorders too.
• in reply tomysmugcat
Was there something about the food that made it a comfort?
I can't eat when im anxious. I lose my appetite in the split of a second when it hits me out of the blue.
• in reply toCheche1207
So do you go for long periods without food because of it?
Cheche1207• in reply to
A day. Then i get the tense feeling in my tummy later on. Then i eat. I do the breathing technique over and over until ifeel calm.
• in reply toCheche1207
You know what to expect from it then?
Cheche1207• in reply to
Yes. It helps more when my husband is around. I often ask him to hug me real tight. Doing the deep breathing at the same time. It works for me. How about you Jimatom?
• in reply toCheche1207
I used to have anxiety but I never used food for comfort. I always wondered though why some people do and how it made them feel.
Cheche1207• in reply to
How did you cope?
• in reply toCheche1207
To stop it, I made myself busy, found distractions, began to learn new things. I changed my diet and some more exercise.
Eventually my mind was filled with stuff that took my thoughts away from my anxiety.
Cheche1207• in reply to
I started going to the gym. Sweating it out for 2 days now and i noticed a vast difference. I did all the wrong things the past months to get rid of it. I only made it bad
• in reply toCheche1207
I think the exercise was the biggest factor for me, it made the biggest difference. But all if the other little things seemed to fill in the gaps.
Cheche1207• in reply to
Thats awesome. Im glad you fought back the right way. Im heading on the same path. Will keep the exercise going 
• in reply toCheche1207
If you are this determined then you will make it.
Chat to me anytime you want to.
😊
Eating actually changes the way your body works. As your energy is now on your digestive system. Also chewing and swallowing actually releases tension in the mouth. This is why people feel calmer when eating. There are scientific reasons behind it I eat when anxious sometimes and then others I feel too sick to eat but that's the joy of anxiety it is ever changing 
• in reply toEmest86
Do you eat a particular type of food when you are anxious?
Emest86• in reply to
Nope, absolutely anything will do. From fruit to chocolate it doesn't matter really. I don't believe that the chemicals within food make a difference whilst I'm panicking.
I have to ask are you doing research for your own anxiety or for another reason?
• in reply toEmest86
Hi emest86 I can totally relate to wot u say. X
Food is the last thing on my mind when im anxious, i can't eat i feel something in my throat it's even hard to drink water..... same thing happen when i lie, the guilt be eating me alive
• in reply to
The throat thing is common with anxiety though. Is it because the muscles in the neck tense up.
• in reply to
Either way nothing goes down, i wish i could be one of the people who eat chocolates and sweet stuff... that would be awesome
• in reply to
Do you don't have anything when you are like that?
• in reply to
I can't have anything at all, even drinking water is a struggle
• in reply to
It must be hard to cope if it lasts for a while.
• in reply to
Hi callmedanielle...and I wish I was like u and that I couldnt eat anything wen am anxious. X
• in reply to
I wish i could. Its like my throat is on lockdown
• in reply to
Hi callmedanielle it's funny how we r all affected differently by anxiety. Sumtimes wen I'm anxious during the day wen I eat food it sticks in my windpipe which can be scary. X
Hi jimatom. Jeez 100 % YES. I binge eat esp at night coza anxiety. X p.s I'm so glad I'm not alone with this issue coz it's a real problem for me coz am trying to lose weight. X
• in reply to
Why do you turn to food?
• in reply to
Hi jimatom cos I have an eating disorder. X
• in reply to
Ok, thanks for answering me and thank you very much for following me too. ☺☺☺
• in reply to
No problemo...ur welcum. X
• in reply to
You too.
I eat when I’m anxious because I want something to do with my hands and I used to be a smoker. When there’s nothing close to fidget with I eat. Also by me eating I’m putting my hand to my mouth and it’s the same motion as me smoking. I don’t do it every time I’m anxious but when my anxiety is on high alert I do.
• in reply tohighwinds
Is it to do with boredom too?
I tend to go off food 🍲
I feel a need to punish myself 😔
• in reply toImFopna
Really! Punish yourself for what?
I guess that's just how I think..
I used to over eat and then did weight watchers, I taught my self how to get over hunger pains, I was strong then and lost 20kg...
I guess I use that technique now when I feel low, maybe to try be strong like I used to be?
• in reply toImFopna
Does it work for you?
I overeat as well if I'm not googling the internet. I always go for sweet stuff too and feel like I can't stop until I get a stomachache. Then I feel guilty that I did that to myself.
• in reply toMjones0103
Do you know why you do it?
Mjones0103• in reply to
I guess I feel like I need to do something to occupy my mind to stop being so anxious so I turn to food. It doesn't help
• in reply toMjones0103
Have you tried doing something else?
I've tried reading, watching tv, coloring and listening to relaxing music. The coloring and the music actually help more than the food. But I don't know for some reason a crave sweet stuff when I'm anxious.
• in reply toMjones0103
It seems lots of people crave sweet stuff when anxious.
Yes, I wish I knew why.
• in reply toMjones0103
Maybe it just tastes good or something.
Doesn't seem to be to many men on here that do this. Or maybe they just don't talk about it.
Yeah. That could be the case. I use to never be a sweet eater. I like salty food. I would use to grab a bag of chips or crackers before a doughnut or cookies or ice cream. But now I find myself grabbing sweets every time.
• in reply toMjones0103
There must be a reason for the sweet stuff.
If you didn't buy the sweet stuff what would you do?
I can't help but buy it. I feel anxious if I don't have sweet stuff in the fridge or the cabinet. I have to have something sweet at my house at all times. If I found that I have ran out I have to go to the store and get something. A candy bar anything
• in reply toMjones0103
Is it an addiction?
I don't know. I know here lately I have been wanting to eat sweet stuff in place of my dinner. For example I have been eating cake and ice cream for dinner all week instead of eating real food. And I cringe when I get on the scale because I know what's causing it and I don't want to stop.
• in reply toMjones0103
That's awful!
Can't you get any help with it?
Mjones0103• in reply to
I've been to counseling before. I don't feel like that did anything for me. Maybe I just didn't fit well with the therapist. I know I need help. I try to block it out that I don't but I know I do. I fear I'm going to turn into a diabetic because I can't stop eating junk and that makes me even more anxious and want to eat junk more. It's crazy
• in reply toMjones0103
Another therapist wouldnt be worth a try?
Mjones0103• in reply to
I believe it would. I actually called and had an appointment scheduled to see another one but I canceled because of scheduling conflict. I'm going to call back and reschedule
• in reply toMjones0103
I hope it helps you.
Mjones0103• in reply to
Thanks. Me too
• in reply toMjones0103
Come chat anytime you like.
Mjones0103• in reply to
Thank you. I will definitely be taking you up on that
• in reply toMjones0103
Good ☺
Yes I do sometimes, I either eat something to take my mind off what's going on or I either feel too sick to eat anything.
• in reply toIfs23
Do you have two things related to food then.
Not me. Anxiety has the opposite effect on me and I have to force myself to eat. However, I can understand why some people would turn to food; food can be very comforting to some people.
• in reply tomenagerie11
Do you go long spells without food?
Same with me. I tend to not have a good appetite. Always feels like I'm full. So I force myself to eat at least.
I go for hours without food but I force myself to eat supper. I often have a banana and muffin during the day.
think about it, we have been comforted by feeding since our lives begun its a luxury most can afford and offer immediate results and one of the easiest task ones can do
• in reply to
That's a good point.
I never thought about it a the time, but I think I could trace my anxiety levels increase by my increased consumption of chocolate. I think rising anxiety and stress caused the increase in
At my worst I was eating up to 6 bars of chocolate a day, I gained a lot of weight and ended up with a fatty liver. My BMI was in the overweight range.
Now I have chocolate maybe once or twice a month and find that just eating a Kit-Kat is enough. I have lost over 2 stone in weight and my liver function tests are all back to normal. My BMI is in the normal range again.
I had a bad time a few months ago and pigged out on chocolate again. Felt really horrible afterwards.
i overeat because of anxiety. it makes me feel better and relieves the anxiety for few hours
• in reply to
It doesn't bother you at all?
• in reply to
bother is a small word. it makes me worry. due to that anxiety overeating, i gained 30 pounds and it took hell lot of efforts and months of gymming to get back in shape
• in reply to
But you managed to get into shape again, brilliant!
• in reply to
thank you
• in reply to
Yw
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