Eating to cope with loss/ fill void

[CVanPelt 19]

I had my orientation day at the weight loss center yesterday. Tentative surgery is November 7th ????

After some time talking with their behaviorist and going over notes from my psychological evaluation, she feels that I use food to fill a void from losing my dad to cancer when I was 5. I have been overweight since I was 5 and my dad is still a topic that is still hard for me to discuss.

The behaviorist is worried that this link between food and my emotions could continue and sabotage my future weight loss.

I have thought for the longest time about going to a psychologist over the emotions associated with my dad, but I have never really linked that with weight issues as an adult....

Anyone else have similar problems? How did you cope?

Sent from my SM-G925V using the BariatricPal App

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@CVanPelt I went to a psychologist to discuss emotional eating (not related to anything in particular) and found it extremely helpful so far (we'll see if it's helpful post-op). I encourage you to go to one as well.

[WLSResources/ClothingExch 3,443]

Emotional eating is emotional eating regardless of the underlying factors. You can do well to see a cognitive behavior therapist. You may also want to get a book, THE BECK DIET SOLUTION, Judith Beck, PhD. She's a CBT practitioner and teacher. You want her first book, not the later one with a similar title and which includes a food plan not directed at WLS people. If you do get the book, start at page one and do the exercises as you get to them. There's also a website, shrinkyourself.com, the child of another psychologist, Roger Gould. He, too, has a book (what a surprise), but I know nothing about it.

[Sai 785]

I was thin until 14 years old and then got sexually assaulted by a few "friends", within 4 years I put on about 125 lbs. First I dealt with is with anorexia, then I dealt with it with compulsive overeating. Basically the same thing, just switching seats on the Titanic, right? I went to see a talk therapist who helped me tremendously. She also introduced me to Overeater's Anonymous which helped me just as much, emotionally speaking. Something about that bonding and seeing others go through something similar regarding my eating disorder. I still go to OA meetings online off and on when I feel overwhelmed if I need to get my bearings.