Emotional eating
Emotional eating is using food to make yourself feel better. This involves using food as way of bringing comfort and escape when a person is feeling low. This can help to block out negative emotions and distress.
Unfortunately, emotional eating doesn't fix emotional problems. It usually makes you feel worse. Afterwards, the person can then feel guilty for overeating, rather than feeling better.
If you think you are experiencing emotional eating and are feeling out of control with food, you are not alone.
How TALKWORKS can help with emotional eating
At TALKWORKS we are able to help adults, age 18+, with mild to moderate forms of the following eating disorders:
- Bulimia nervosa - Losing control over how much you eat and then taking drastic action to not put on weight
- Binge eating disorder (BED) - Eating large portions of food until you feel uncomfortably full.
Our therapists can help you to put coping strategies in place, so that you can take control and develop a healthier relationship with food and your emotions.
What therapy can TALKWORKS offer?
Our TALKWORKS therapists would normally work with you for an initial four sessions, via guided self-help programmes, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches. CBT is an evidence-based talking therapy that can help you to change your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to overcome your difficulties. Our therapists can work with you to help you manage the side effects of emotional eating, which can help to regulate eating patterns.
After the four sessions, we will review how you are progressing with the chosen course of therapy and consider if further treatment is required. If this is the case, we may offer more intensive, eating disorder focused CBT.
TALKWORKS also works closely with community eating disorder teams as part of the FREED pathway, which aims to help people age 18-25 with bulimia or binge eating, as early as possible. Once a referral is received, FREED aims to contact people within 48 hours and carry out an initial assessment within two weeks. We have a number of FREED champions within TALKWORKS, offering monthly assessment appointments, specifically for people eligible for the FREED pathway.
How to access our service
If you are struggling, TALKWORKS is here to help. Here's how you can self-refer to our free, NHS service:
- Complete our online self-referral form
- Call 0300 555 3344
- Email dpt.talkworks@nhs.net
- Speak to your GP
You must be over the age of 18 and living in Devon (excluding Plymouth) to access TALKWORKS. If you are living in Plymouth and would like to access support, please contact Plymouth Options .
Further resources
You may benefit from visiting the websites below to understand more about emotional eating and the support that is available:
- Access help from other services at Devon Partnership NHS Trust, including The Haldon and the community eating disorder service
- BEAT: The UK's eating disorder charity, aiming to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders
- F.E.A.S.T: (Families empowered and supporting treatment of eating disorders) provides a range of resources, groups and services to support those caring for someone with an eating disorder.