Independent medical expert answers
on psychiatry and psychology

Controlling Your Real Feelings

Written by: Gunborg Palme, certified psychologist and certified psychotherapist, teacher and tutor in psychotherapy.
First version: 22 Jul 2008. Latest version: 15 Aug 2008.

Abstract:

How can I control my feelings instead of eating?

Question:

How can I control my feelings instead of eating?

Answer:

If you are used to hiding your feelings by means of food, you will probably feel very uncomfortable if you try to avoid eating. Don't be upset when feelings seem to be unbearable. Be brave and do your best to tolerate these negative feelings. Allow yourself to experience them instead of running away or escape with food. After you have experienced them you will feel better.

Suppose you have decided to stop eating for comfort. You can eat what you need when you are physically hungry: however, you mustn't eat sweets when you do not really need nutrition, but are only seeking a way to endure boredom, tiredness, stress or other unpleasant feeling.

You will get an urge to eat something sweet, but resist it. Give yourself time to rest and feel what is happening in your body. Take in your physical impression but don't try to reason intellectually. Let the experience take its time and try to feel it intensely.

Perhaps you will experience something new. Concentrate on this and continue in the same way until you think you have gone through all you can take at this time.

These experiences may be terrifying, but afterwards you will feel much better and the urge to eat sweets will diminish.

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