Question
 

Ok, I don't binge or purge or restrict. But, I rely on food for friendship, emotional pain ect. Then I feel guilty and fat for eating which only causes me to eat more perpetuating the cycle. This isn't bulemia or anorexia, I don't know if there is a lable for this, food addiction maybe, anyway, are there other people on here like me? Is this an eating disorder?

I can't speak for other people on RYL, but I'm sure that you're not the only one who does this.

Do you have a counsellor or doctor you can talk to about this? It sounds like you have some issues with food that might be classed as unusual so all I can say is talk to a professional, but like I said above, I'm sure you're not the only one

kate xx

First of all, any form of 'disordered eating' is an Eating Disorder.
Is it that you overeat/comfort eat?
If so, perhaps take a looky at this click click

Sounds like compulsive over-eating, I do it too.
What I do to control it is keep a food diary, writing down how I feel when I'm more likely to binge and then plan things out so I can distract myself from wanting to eat for comfort and do something else, like read a book or have a bath or go to the gym. I find this helps to stop me overeating and also helps me to highlight times when I'm more likely to overeat - like evenings for example.

Here is a definition for it:
Compulsive overeating is characterized by uncontrollable eating followed by feelings of guilt and shame. It is different from bulimia in that it does not involve any purging.

There is a lot more information here: http://www.brown.edu/Student_Service...siveeating.htm

I hope that helps. Take care.
Air X

The only person who can diagnose you with an eating disorder is a Dr. However it does sound like your relationship with food isnt normal you shouldnt feel guilty after eating etc.

Airlyeth's suggestion are good and maybe you could try and implement them see whether that eases how you feel and go from there.

huggles

Yeah, I think it sounds about right, although I generally don't binge all at once, and the amounts of food I eat in a day are probably a lot less than I should eat. I think my obssesion with it now is because I just quit smoking after 14 years. It's been 2 weeks and I am very proud of this accomplishment, but I feel like I am replacing the habit with food. I am trying to use sugar free gum and candy, but it doesn't always work. And the more I use food to replace the craving for a cigarette the more I feel guilty. Like I am replacing one bad habit with another. I'm kind of hoping to find someone in a similar situation to just talk to right now. I have no health insurance and no way to get counseling. I have been to numerous counselors in the past and even a crisis center, to no avail really. I try to find positive ways to fix the problems I have in my life. But I would like a friend that can relate I guess. It's always nice to know your not alone. Thank you all for the advice, and the link, I might see about joining an OA group! Thanks, sorry the post is so long!

Hey,

It could be possible that your eating more because you have quit smoking, it happens a lot. It happened to me when I stopped self harming, I ate more and it was kind of like replacing one bad habit with another.
If snacking is a problem maybe you could replace the more unhealthy snacks with fruit and veggies, that way you get your 5 a day and you will probably start to feel healthier and less guilty about what you're eating. Try to eat 3 square meals a day too, which will stop snacking.

If you ever need to talk about anything you can e-mail me or PM me. I can relate a lot to what you're saying.

Take care,
Air