Depression eating

[zohra1972]

Hi, I'm in my 40s with 2 children. 3 years ago I lost several stone with weight watchers and kept it off. But back in February I had a very distressing break up. Since then I've been pretty miserable, on anti depressants, often suicidal to be honest, getting up in the morning and crying, and the weight is going on again. I find stuffing unhealthy food into my mouth is pretty much the only thing that lifts my mood, just for a minute or so, so I'm really eating a lot. Plus my job is stressful, very long hours. I'd like it so much if there was anyone else out there who eats to stave off depression, and if we could encourage each other to make healthy chouces. I'd really like to get back into healthy eating, and it would be so much easier with a friend.
Many thanks all.

You poor thing, it sounds as if you have been through a really awful time. Have you had any counselling at all? I have just started (and I admit I have tried this before) the Paul McKenna way of healthy eating (see the eat less food thread). and I am finding it ok so far, with a couple of lapses, although I think it will take me a while to lose weight. There are a couple of books he has written which you might find useful. Take care of yourself. Have to run now but will post again later.

That sounds awful. I also struggle with depression and when I'm feeling bad about myself I tend to eat less healthily, I think it's partly an attitude of not feeling like I'm worth looking after (and even 'well I'm not going to be around that long so what's the point of looking after my body?'). Is it worth talking to your gp about changing your anti-depressants if they're not stopping you feeling miserable? You might also be able to get help with cbt techniques for challenging how you think about food and yourself. Happy to be someone who encourages you as well.

thank you both very much. I've started to wonder if one way forward might be to add on healthy options, rather than restricting unhealthy ones. I do think eating unhealthily can be a way of punishing yourself. It's been a bad few days. But thank you very much. It is nice not to feel entirely alone.

Hi there
I'm sorry you've had such a tough time, I too used to emotionally eat. I found planning my food and using my fitness pal app to log my foods then i could see how much I was over eating helped.

I also had anti depressants for a while, and was referred via my gp for cbt counselling. I used to eat so much I was sick, the counselling was the turning point for me. It's a very long story but I'm no longer on medication, I eat normal food, exercise regular and feel lots better.

When I don't exercise I still have feelings of over eating and sometimes still do , but not often. Therefore I try to start the day positively by going to the gym, or for a walk/run, which makes me feel good and makes me not want to eat junk for the rest of the day.

I hope you get chance for cbt as it really sounds like what you need

Take care