At times in our life we have all turned to comfort eating to cope with periods in our life.  Some of us may enjoy snacking on the odd 'unhealthy' snack or meal to sooth us.  Some examples include, ice cream and sweets.

 

Those who compulsively overeat do so as a coping mechanism in order to deal with emotional stress which has become part of their everyday life.  It can lead to further health complications such as obesity.

 

Emotional overeating is linked to emotional problems such as guilt, depression and self loathing.  Some individuals may eat food to cope with their low self-esteem and feel guilty for eating the food and then eat more food to replace those feelings.  It becomes a vicious cycle and the individual feels trapped.

 

It is a serious mental health condition and is a recognised eating disorder.  It has been reported that 88% of the public are affected by emotional overeating.