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What is emotional eating?

Don't worry, you're not alone

Emotional eating is using food to make yourself feel better and not always just to satisfy physical hunger. It is a way of using food to bring comfort and escape during times of low mood and as a way to block out negative emotions and distress.

Unfortunately, emotional eating doesn’t fix emotional problems. In fact, it usually makes you feel worse. Afterwards, not only does the original emotional issue remain, but you may feel guilty for overeating.

If you think you have an eating disorder and are feeling out of control with your eating, please consider seeking help.

How TALKWORKS can help

At TALKWORKS, we are able to help people with mild to moderate presentations of the following types of eating disorder:

Our therapists are here to help you put coping strategies in place, so you can take control and develop a healthier relationship with food and your emotions.

What therapy do we offer?

We would normally agree to work with you for an initial four sessions, via guided self-help programmes, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches. This will give you the opportunity to see if the approach we use is right for you. We will share information about your eating disorder and its possible physical and psychological effects and support you in regulating your eating or stopping purge behaviour.

We will then 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 cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based talking therapy that can help you change your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to overcome your problems.

How to access our service

If you are struggling, TALKWORKS is here to help. We are a free, effective, confidential, NHS Talking Therapies Service, for people (aged 18+) in Devon (excluding Plymouth). TALKWORKS 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.

You can self-refer to TALKWORKS by completing our online self-referral form:

SELF-REFER TO TALKWORKS 

If you prefer, you can speak to us over the phone by calling 0300 555 3344 (our phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am - 4:45pm), or you can make an appointment with your GP to discuss how we can help.

Further resources

You may benefit from visiting the below websites to understand more about emotional eating and the support that’s 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.

Your experience with us

Your feedback matters

“The therapy gently supported me to both understand and come to terms with my diagnosis and how it has impacted on me as a person for so many years. I felt I could be open and honest in a very safe space. I not only feel better, I understand myself better too.”

“I was apprehensive about using the service thinking I wasn't "bad" enough but a talk to the cardiac group by a TALKWORKS practitioner gave me confidence to self-refer. I was referred with respect and taken seriously throughout, felt safe and was given tools and advice to help myself take control of my situation.”

“I could not fault the service I received. I was listened to and given so many different resources to help my anxiety and depression. I was so very low a year ago but with the amazing support from my therapist I feel more and more myself every day. Thank you TALKWORKS.”