I eat to comfort myself and to provide a thick layer of fat that no human being could find desirable. Psychologically speaking it is a way to protect myself from a cruel and dangerous world.

I am currently re-learning how to eat so that I can have gastric bypass surgery in a few months.

Since I began treatment for my PTSD, I have slowly been giving up all my addictions, one at a time. The only ones I have left are caffeine, food and cigarettes (not necessarily in that order). I believe cigarettes and food are the most difficult, but it's all necessary for my mental health. By the time I am done, I will have a totally different lifestyle from when I started... and let me tell you, it is extremely difficult to change your entire lifestyle!

Anyway, eventually I hope to live a somewhat healthy and productive life, even if I do have PTSD. All of these things I'm giving up are at the suggestion of my psychiatrist so hopefully she knows what she's talking about. LOL

So that's my two cents worth. Take care everybody.
Morgan

I tend to eat when I am stressed out. I know I do it, but have a problem with stopping myself. It would be a lot easier if I didn't start to eat in the first place. I quit drinking, smoking, gave up dating and sex......Shit food is all I have left for excitement in my life.

She

I thought I was the only one who had given up everything. When my doctor told me to quit smoking years ago I said to him "Now look, I've given up men. booze, chocolate and sex and now you want me to quit smoking?" NOT So I know what you mean

This is a very good thread.... one which I hope many learn that food is just as bad as other habits in order to control anxiety or depression. I hope to see some people who suffer this issue post about their success in defeating the food and weight issue, to show others it can be done. When I was depressed quite significantly I put on 10kg, though lots 7kg of that now... and without control it can easily be done for someone to eat themselves to death. Exercise and nutrition are a MUST with PTSD.

This is an issue my family really struggles with. I've always been OK until recently; the toothpick garbage disposal of an eater surrounded by overweight family members.

Ever since my last trauma I've been having trouble with this. Suddenly I'm the heaviest I've ever been, putting on 20+ pounds, and can't fit into the pants I've worn for years. I've been upping the exercise to try and compensate.

I don't get it, my eating habbits were carefully rationed good food for so many years. Now I just carb out all the time, usually when I'm bored. I'm getting desperate, I just might start planning/regulating my meals and exercise on an hour by hour basis.

One of my family members has had a lot of success with OA (overeaters anonymous). Might be worth checking into if anyone has a serious interest in kicking the habit.